The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fans return as rules eased
Covid rules introduced to tackle the spread of Omicron in Scotland are to be relaxed today ahead of an update by Nicola Sturgeon tomorrow.
The first minister announced last week that restrictions put in place to control the spread of the coronavirus variant would change from today.
In her review, Ms Sturgeon also announced “phased and careful” changes to the rules on the Covid passport scheme.
Crowd restrictions at football matches will be lifted from today, allowing clubs to welcome fans back en masse as the Scottish Premiership returns to action after its winter break.
The first game to be played in front of a potential capacity crowd is tonight when Celtic take on Hibernian at Parkhead.
Only some of the rules introduced on Boxing Day are set to change, with the restrictions on nightclubs and hospitality remaining in place under current plans.
Ms Sturgeon will give a further update tomorrow in the Scottish Parliament following a review by the government.
Limits have been in place for large gatherings for three weeks, limiting outdoor events to no more than 500 people.
But today’s change allows sporting and music events to go ahead at full capacity.
Changes have also been announced to the vaccine certification scheme, with people now having to receive a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.
And more checks of people’s coronavirus vaccine passports will now have to be carried out at events than was previously the case.
“Our guidance will now stipulate that the organisers of large events of 1,000 or more people should check the certification status of at least 50% of attendees, rather than the current 20%, or at least 1,000 people, whichever figure is highest,” Ms Sturgeon said.
The first minister will today set out the Scottish Government’s latest assessment on the virus, as well as any further changes to the restrictions.
It comes after the government confirmed more than 7,800 new cases of coronavirus over the weekend.