The Scotsman

Now that’s one way to social distance – jogger ‘stays safe’ as a dinosaur

- By AMY WATSON ● ● ● ●

Teacher Pamela Livingston­e from Glasgow, who suffers from asthma, went out for the first time in almost nine weeks to carry out her daily exercise yesterday. Part of the vulnerable at-risk group, Ms Livingston­e decided to buy the dinosaur suit to protect herself after seeing more people out and not social distancing.

The Scottish Government has unveiled its four phase planned route out of lockdown, with phase one scheduled to begin on 28 May. However, First Minster Nicola Sturgeon warned it “would be a mistake” to give definite dates for each stage.

People will be able to use outdoor spaces for relaxing as well as for meeting one other household at a time.

There will be a gradual opening of drive-through food outlets as well as garden centres.

Outdoor activities which do not involve physical contact will be allowed locally – including golf, hiking, canoeing, outdoor swimming and angling.

Staff will be able to return to schools, while there will be additional critical childcare provision, including the reopening of childmindi­ng services and outdoor nurseries. Key workers will be prioritise­d.

Plans are in place for the “safe” reopening of the housing market, although no details were given in the report as to what this would mean.

Outdoor workplaces will resume with physical distancing measures in place once guidance is agreed, and the constructi­on sector should implement the first two phases of its restart plan.

NHS primary and community services – including mental health – will restart. There will be a resumption of IVF treatment as soon as it is “safe to do so”. Considerat­ion will also be given for the introducti­on of designated visitors to care homes.

Court and tribunal buildings should reopen, with limited business and public access.

Phase Two: This could not begin before the end of Phase 1 review cycle, ending on 18 June.

This will begin once the transmissi­on rate – known as the R number – is “consistent­ly” below one. The country must alsomeetth­esixcriter­iasetout by the World Health Organisati­on for easing restrictio­ns.

When phase two begins, people will be able to meet up with larger groups of family and friends outdoors, while maintainin­g physical distancing. People will also be able to meet up with another household indoors.

Workplaces which are not in offices are expected to open with safety measures in place. This would include factories and warehouses, as well as lab and research facilities.

Pubs and restaurant­s will be able to open outdoor spaces with social distancing in place. Outdoor markets, small retail units, sports courts and playground­s will reopen.

Marriages, civil partnershi­ps and other types of ceremonies can take place with a limited number of attendees. Places of worship would be able to open for private prayer.

There will be a phased resumption of visiting to care homes by family members in a managed way.

People will be able to leave their local area for leisure and exercise. Gyms will be reopened with physical distancing in place. More than two households will be able to meet up indoors as long as safety measures are adhered to, such as social distancing.

Children will return to school – scheduled for August 11 – under a blended model of part-time in-school teaching and part-time in-home learning. There will also be a phased return for universiti­es and colleges with a mix of remote learning and limited on-campus learning where a priority.

Pubs, restaurant­s and large retailers will be able to reopen with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.

Museums, galleries, cinemas and libraries will also reopen. Live events will be permitted with restricted numbers. Hairdresse­rs will also be able to return to work.

Restrictio­ns on funeral attendance, marriages, civil partnershi­p and other services will be eased to include those beyond the close family.

This will begin once the virus remains suppressed to very low levels and is no longer considered a significan­t threat to public health.

Public transport will be fully operating but physical distancing may remain in place.

Schools, childcare provision, college and university campuses will be fully open with any necessary precaution­s in place.

Remote and flexible working will remain encouraged, although all types of workplaces will reopen in line with public health advice.

All types of outlets – pubs, restaurant­s and shops – would be open in line with public health advice.

Mass gatherings can resume in line with public health advice, while all ceremonies can take place with any necessary precaution­s.

The full range of health and social care services would be provided with greater use of technology.

Phase One: Expected to begin as of next Thursday.

Phase Three: This could not begin before the end of Phase 2 review cycle, ending 9 July.

“Phase Two will begin once the transmissi­on rate–orrnumber–is ‘consistent­ly’ below one. The country must also meet the six criteria set out by the World Health Organisati­on for easing restrictio­ns”

Phase Four: This could not begin before the end of Phase 3 review cycle, ending 30 July.

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