Social gatherings cut to six as
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced that Scots will now be restricted to gatherings of six people in a fresh Covid crackdown.
The SNP leader told Scots to start observing the new rules immediately, but they will take legal effect from Monday.
Other changes planned for next week – such as a return for fans to football matches and a return of live venues such as theatres – have been put on hold. Face coverings will also be more widely used in pubs bars and restaurants in an effort to suppress the rise of the virus.
A further 161 cases were reported yesterday although there were no new deaths. But the R number, the number of people which each infected Scot passes the virus on to, is now estimated to be above 1 – possibly as high as 1.5.
The First Minister warned yesterday that the new restriction of groups of six, mirroring the new approach in England, is needed because the virus is “accelerating” again.
“We have concluded that it is necessary to tight en some existing restrictions, to help curb the spread of the virus especially between and within households,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“As of now, up to eight peo - ple from three households can meet indoors. Larger outdoor gatherings are also permitted.
“I can confirm that we intend to change this, so that a maximum of six people from two households will now be permitted to meet together.
“To help reduce transmission– but also simplify the rules as much as possible– this new limit will apply both indoors, in houses, in pubs and restaurants, and also outdoors including in private gardens.”
Children under 12 from within the two households will not be counted in the new limit of six people.
The First Minister delivered her three-weekly review of corona virus restrictions in Scotland where she confirmed that the country would not be moving from stage three into stage four and this is now unlikely for some time.
It will also now become mandatory for Scots visiting pubs, cafes and restaurants to wear face coverings whenever they are moving around and not eating or drinking. This would include when entering and going to a table, or to the bathroom.
It will also become mandatory – rather than simply guidance – for staff working in hospitality premises to wear face coverings.
This comes after the past week saw additional restrictions on people living in Glasgow, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire which means they cannot let people in their homes or visit other households.
“S o rather than the threat to public health receding, the pandemic is at this stage accelerating again–albeit, and thank fully, from a low base and not as rapidly as it was back in March and April,” Ms Sturgeon added. An exception to the new limit of six will also be made for funerals, weddings and civil partnerships which will still see 20 guests allowed.
Ms Sturgeon added: “From Monday, that limit of 20 will also be permitted for wakes and receptions, as long as they take place in regulated venues like hotels with strict guidance in place.”
The restrictions do not apply where there is other sector specific guidance in force, for example for gyms, for childcare or for organised sports, and there will be some other limited exceptions for larger households and education.
A number of changes which had provisionally been scheduled for 14 September have now been put on hold until 5 October, although a final decision will be taken nearer the time.
Ms Sturgeon added: “That means spectators will not be able to return to sports stadia and other venues over the next three weeks. There are two pilot events due to take place this weekend which will proceed.
“However, after that we will judge possible pilot events on a case by case basis, and in light of the latest Covid data.
“The other services and venues affected by this pause are theatre, live music venues, indoor soft play facilities and indoor contact sports activities for people aged 12 and over.
“In addition, outdoor events that have not yet been given the green light, such as those where a lot of people stand closely together, cannot yet restart.”
The rise in case numbers has not been unexpected as businesses returned to trading after lock down and schools went back, increasing the opportunity for it to spread.
And ministers point out that Scotland is faring better than many other European nations, with Spain’s weekly level of new cases per 100,000 of population increasing from 34 to 126. France’s has risen from 11 to 60.
Scotland’s rate has increased from two to just under 20.
“We have still come out of the summer with a relatively low prevalence of the virus,” Ms Sturgeon told MSPS.
Of the new cases, provisional figures indicate 65 are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 46 in Lanarkshire and 12 in Lothian. There are 266 people in hospital confirmed to have the virus, a fall of eight in 24 hours. Of these, seven were in intensive care, up by one.