HUG IT OUT
● Family and friends can meet up indoors ● Pubs permitted to serve alcohol inside ● Foreign holidays allowed within limits
Renfrewshire takes a giant leap towards normality in just five days’ time.
On Monday loved ones will be allowed a much-needed hug for the first time in nearly 15 months.
The easing of restrictions to Level 2 announced yesterday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - which will see small groups allowed to socialise indoors - has been widely welcomed across Renfrewshire.
Colette Cardosi, chair of Paisley First (right), said: “This will make a huge difference to our hospitality businesses, especially those bars and pubs which have been closed since last year.
“It will also help businesses such as our amusement arcades who have also been hit hard by Covid-19 and we hope our gyms will benefit from the restarting of group exercise too.”
Colette, who runs
Paisley restaurants
Car dos i’ s and Pendulum, added:
“As it becomes possible for us all to meet up again with family and friends, please continue to support our local businesses.
“And for a great day out head to Paisley town centre for safe shopping and socialising.”
Her view was echoed by Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson who said: “It will be fantastic to see people able to enjoy days out together.
“And I would encourage everyone to give our businesses in Renfrewshire the muchneeded boost they need at this time and look locally first.”
The pub trade got a huge boost and can serve inside until 10.30pm.
Lisa Sheerin of The Wee Howff in the High Street
ha s n o t
been open for seven months and will throw open the doors at 12.30pm on Monday.
She said: “It will be great to see real people again - and we had better not shut again.
“We have a lot of elderly customers and this is their only source of socialising with people as many live on their own.They come in here and it’s like a wee family - they meet up with their pub besties and put the world to rights.
“We have a few bookings but people will also be able to come in off the street.”
The move to Level 2 comes after the reduction to Level 3 on April 26.
The First Minister said: “I actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this ... from Monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again.”
It is hoped that the whole country can move to level one on June 7 and then to level zero on June 28.
From Monday it means six people from three households will be able to meet in their homes, and can also stay overnight, with no social distancing.
Up to six adults from two households will be able to meet up in pubs or restaurants, but stay a metre apart.
Outside up to eight adults from eight different households can gather.
Adult outdoor contact sports and indoor group exercises will be able to resume.
Cinemas, bingo halls and amusement arcades are also likely to be able to reopen, and outdoor and indoor events like concerts can restart - although capacity may initially be limited.
Renfrewshire Leisure announced a programme of 119 weekly classes begins on Monday, with 3,852 slots available for booking each week.
The timetable includes Vitality and new Easy Exercise classes designed to give people living with medical conditions, older adults and those just starting out the greatest support to get active to improve their physical and mental health.
A number of outdoor exercise classes will continue at ON-X in Linwood.
Mark Tokeley, head of leisure and community services, said: “We know that our indoor classes have been massively missed and that many people cannot wait to get back - and we are very much looking forward to welcoming them.
“Our team is ready to support them in returning to a regular exercise programme. This is an exciting step for us all and we expect uptake to be extremely positive.”
Swimming lessons will restart from the end of the month, with plans for a phased return currently being finalised.
Classes at Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley and Renfrew Sports Centre will run in tandem with mass vaccinations centres being operated at each site, with separate entrance and exit points.
Glasgow Airport management declared the restriction lifting as a “missed opportunity” with so few countries on the green list.
Public affairs boss Peter Carroll also called for more detail to “allow everyone to understand what is required”
He said: “We encourage the Scottish Government to work with us on making testing more affordable rather than it being a barrier for those who need and want to travel.
“The Scottish Government must also be very clear about when and how we can encourage visitors from green list countries to try and save the thousands of jobs in Scotland that depend upon international travellers.”
Barrhead- based holiday firm Barrhead Travel is expecting a surge as the skies are opened up again.
President Jacqueline Dobson said: “There is a significant pent-up demand for travel – not just for holidays, but for travel to see family, friends and loved ones and many customers will be hoping to see more destinations added to the Green list in the coming weeks and months. We know our customers will have a number of questions about the future of travel.
“The Scottish Government must also confirm its plans regarding the digital health passport and how we may utilise the NHS app to track vaccine status and negative testing for travel abroad.”