Sturgeon to reveal lockdown exit path

Restrictions could begin to be eased – but not until the end of the month

Lockdown measures in Scotland could be eased within days of May 28, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The first minister said if progress against the virus continues, people might be able to meet up with someone from another household, visit garden centres and participate in some sports.

Local business people have welcomed the announcement but said they were disappointed they could not open sooner.

Speaking at the latest Scottish Government coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said 2,105 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up two from 2,103 on Sunday.

Ms Sturgeon said a “route map” will be published on Thursday for the path out of lockdown in Scotland.

If progress is made in reducing the spread of the virus, the first minister said changes to lockdown restrictions could be made after the next review, May 28.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Within a few days of that, we will aim to allow, for example, more outdoor activity such as being able to sit in the park, meet up outdoors with someone from another household as long as you stay socially distant, some limited outdoor sporting activities like golf and fishing, the opening of garden centres and recycling facilities, and the resumption of some outdoor work.”

She said more information will also be given about when schools might reopen.

Kenneth Cox, from family-owned Glendoick Garden Centre near Perth, had been hoping for announcement last week in the hope of reopening this week.

“We’re about to lose the whole of the May season,” he said.

“We have asked for a timetable and at least it looks as though we’re getting that.

“The downside is we were fully stocked in March and weren’t able to sell anything.

“My main frustration, apart from the fact garden centres in England are trading very well, is DIY stores are open and their garden centres are selling stocks. It seems a little bit inconsistent.

“If we have a road map and a date to aim for, that’s great and we look forward to having that. It’s just a pity that wasn’t announced today.”

John Callison, who runs Newton Farm Trout Fishery in Newport and Stenhouse Trout Fishery in Burntisland, had also hoped to be up and running again this week.

“Everybody had built up their hopes,” he said.

“It’s now looking like May 28 onwards, and I think it will be June before we open.

“It’s not just the fact that I’m shut. I’ve got two fisheries to maintain and am spending money to go to work.”

Dunfermline landscape gardener Michael McQueen said the business had been taking steps towards opening in the wake of the UK Government’s announcement last week.

He added: “We had hoped for this announcement.

“Some of our guys are on furlough and we’ve had to knock a couple of projects on to a later date until we get more word about how to get the guys working in close proximity.”