‘Emotional reunion’ for Scots families as lockdown starts to lift
ensure social distancing measures can be adhered to.
At the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: “As we take these first steps, I do feel a bit nervous.
“I’m worried that the limited changes that we’re making to these rules, the very careful changes might lead to much greater change in reality.
“So I really need you to help to make sure that is not the case. I am sure there are going to be lots of emotional reunions.
“You’ll be planning to see family and friends that you haven’t seen for weeks and based on the current forecasts the sun will be shining too.
“We’ve all waited a long time for this and I hope you all really enjoy it. But please, please really respect the parameters we’re setting out – respect each other’s space. Make sure things still feel different to normal, because they should still feel different to normal.”
The changes will mean that Scots can meet up with other “households” although they must remain outside. The guidance calls for a maximum of eight people, compared to a limit of six in England, with social distancing observed.
Scots should not meet up with people from more than one other household per day.
Although there is no limit on the distance Scots can travel to see friends and family, it is still against the rules to go inside another house, which could rule out longer journeys that may require use of the toilet.
And although Scots can also travel five miles to outdoor recreation areas, Ms Sturgeon has urged them to keep clear of areas with big crowds of people as this may see a flare-up in the spread of the virus. The use of public transport is still advised against.
The First Minister insisted that “Stay at Home” remained the “fundamental foundational message” in the next phase.
In a direct appeal to Scots, she added: “Please do the right thing – not for me but do the right thing for yourself and your loved ones and for the community.”
Ms Sturgeon insisted that the guidance being issued to Scots was “as clear as possible” to help people understand the limits which remain in place.
“I do think this is increasingly about trusting people’s judgment and I do trust the judgment of the Scottish people, of course I do.
“But my job and the Scottish Government’s job is to emphasise that judgment as far as we can. We can’t cater for every individual single circumstance, but give you as much information and to enable you to make the right judgments.”
Phase One also means outdoor activity can resume for businesses, with the construction industry allowed to restart site preparations. Garden centres can also reopen and ministers will no longer discourage “drive through” fast food outlets from opening.
But non-essential shops must stay shut, including cafes. Staff are still being encouraged to work from home where possible.
Teachers will also be able to return to schools next week to start preparations for the new year.childcareandchildminder facilities will also get up and running again next week, with restrictions around social distancing in place. Ms Sturgeon said lockdown is being eased from today after a “sustained and unmistakable” downward trend in coronavirus cases.
The crucial R number – how many people an infected person passes Covid-19 on to – is now judged with “reasonable confidence” to have been below one for more than three weeks.
Ms Sturgeon also announced during her briefing a further 12 deaths amongst patients who have tested positive for coronavirus, continuing the recent downward trend. It brings the total number of deaths under this measure to 2,316.
Hospital cases have also fallen to 1,238, down nine on the previous day, but an 80 per cent fall over the past month.