More lockdown restrictions eased

Hospitality venues, nonessential shops and beauty salons are among some of the premises in Renfrewshire which will be able to reopen on Monday as First Minister Nicola announced further easing of lockdown restrictions.

Renfrewshire will move to Level 3 next week, and a number of businesses, facilities and attractions in the local authority resume following months of closures.

The First Minister confirmed yesterday cafés, pubs and restaurants can reopen, along with tourist accommodation.

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

The remaining travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose. It is expected that all of Scotland will move to Level 2 on May 17.

From Monday, 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.

All non- essential work inside people’s homes – such as painting, decorating or repairing – will be permitted, non- essential informal childcare will resume and driving lessons and tests can take place.

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

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The changes that come into force next week have been hard earned by all of us. I know that many will be looking forward to their first drink in a beer garden, to catching up with a friend in a café, or to going on holiday somewhere in Scotland. But even as we enjoy those moments, we still need to be careful. We must remember the virus is more infectious now than it was when bars and cafés were last open, so we must still stick to the rules.”

Leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools will also reopen for individual exercise.

Renfrewshire Leisure announced The Lagoon Leisure Centre and Renfrew Leisure Centre - which are currently being used as mass vaccination centres - would be open for leisure purposes.

All 12 Renfrewshire Libraries will also be open on a click and collect basis for items and to allow for public PC access.