Politicians welcome timeline
Stirling’s elected politicians have welcomed the lastest plans to bring Stirling out of lockdown.
Bruce Crawford MSP said: “I welcome the cautious approach from our First Minister, as the country makes steady progress in reducing infection numbers and containing the virus. Local infection numbers here in Stirling remain stubbornly high, but the pace of vaccination has been swift, and my thanks go out to all frontline workers who are undertaking a power of work to keep things moving.
“We must all continue to do our part to stay the path, but today’s indicative timeline for exiting lockdown will bring some measure of hope to many in Stirling that some normality can be restored to our lives and businesses.”
Stirling MP Alyn Smith added: “These indicative dates for reopening, whilst still caveated regarding infection numbers, will bring welcome relief across Stirling to households and businesses.
“There’s been incredible sacrifices made to suppress the spread of Covid-19, and they’ve not been in vain. The trends in Stirling in recent days still point to a higher level of community transmission than the average, but overall Scotland is moving in the right direction.
“I’m also grateful for further clarity on business support, and news the Scottish Government has continued to work alongside sectors and industry to tailor support packages to match evolving
Stay at home rule to be lifted and replaced by stay local guidance, with people urged to stay within their own local authority area unless for an essential purpose.
Homeware stores, car showrooms and forecourts and garden centres can reopen. Click and collect retail services resume. Hairdressers and barbers will be open for appointments. Contact sports for 12 to 17-year-olds can resume. More students can return, particularly in further education campuses.
Final phase of school returns, with all pupils now back in the classroom full-time.
Move from level four to a modified level three – with travel allowed between council areas. Pubs, cafes and restaurants can serve people outdoors in groups of up to six from three households until 10pm. Alcohol may be served. Limited indoor hospitality may be permitted but only for food and non-alcoholic drinks until 8pm for four people from two households. All remaining retail premises can reopen. Tourist accommodation begins to reopen. Libraries, museums, galleries will be able to open. exercise in swimming pools and gyms can resume. Driving lessons can resume. Tradesmen can begin work inside people’s homes. Limit on weddings, funerals and receptions increases to 50 people. Six people from up to three households can meet up outdoors. Youngsters up to 17 years old can meet six people from six different households outdoors. Those on the shielding lists can return to work, college, university or school. Restrictions between Scotland and the remainder of the UK and the wider common travel area to be lifted as near to April 26 as possible.
Expectation that all level three areas will move to level two. Indoor hospitality returns to greater normality with alcohol served indoors and within more normal opening hours, likely to be 10.30pm closing. Adult outdoor contact sports and indoor group exercise can resume. Cinemas, bingo halls and amusement arcades can reopen. Small-scale outdoor and indoor events can restart. Colleges and universities return to a more blended model of learning with more students on campus. Face-to-face support services resume. Non-pro performance arts may begin again. Restrictions on outdoor social gatherings to ease further. People will be allowed to meet up with friends and family in their homes – initially four people from two households at a time. Discussions with the aviation sector about when international travel can resume are ongoing but it will be at least May 17.
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