Relaxation of Covid rules – Mid Argyll business view

In the latest easing of Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown rules, the country will move from level four to level three restrictions from April 26.

From Monday, hospitality venues including cafés, pubs and restaurants and tourist accommodation can re-open.

Non-essential retail outlets and close-contact services such as beauty salons can also re-open, in addition to indoor attractions and public buildings including galleries, museums and libraries.

Travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose. In addition:

 adults on the shielding list can return to the workplace, if they cannot work from home, while children who have been shielding can return to school.

 non-essential work inside people’s homes – such as painting, decorating or repairing – will be permitted, subject to mitigations.

 non-essential informal childcare will resume.

 driving lessons and tests can take place and gyms and swimming pools can re-open for individual exercise.

 the attendance limit for funerals and weddings – and related events such as receptions – will increase to 50.

 cafés, pubs and restaurants can resume full outdoor service, subject to local licensing, and serve food indoors without alcohol until 8pm.

 takeaways to resume normal service, with physical distancing and face masks in premises.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week said that Scotland would move to level two on Monday May 17, provided the pandemic situation continued to improve.