What are we allowed to do? Your guide to 1-day Christmas and beyond
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE previous plan for a Christmas ‘bubble’ of up to three different households merging to see one another over a five-day period has been scrapped.
Instead, families will only be able to meet on Christmas Day itself – and only subject to strict limits. Only a maximum of eight people from three households can meet indoors, on December 25.
CHRISTMAS VISITS
FAMILIES from different parts of the country can only travel to meet up on Christmas Day – and only if they can leave and return on the same day. No overnight visits are allowed.
Visitors from other parts of the UK are not allowed and Scots are not to travel to England or Wales at any point over Christmas.
People are advised to celebrate in their own homes with their own household and only meet other households outdoors.
BOXING DAY SALES
FROM 12am on Boxing Day, all of mainland Scotland will be plunged into Level 4 – the toughest of the country’s tier restrictions.
This means all but non-essential shops must close and people must not travel out of their local authority area.
As a result, the traditional Boxing Day sales will not be able to go ahead.
THREE-WEEK LOCKDOWN
WHEN Christmas Day ends most of Scotland will move from Level 3 restrictions into Level 4. Gyms and hospitality businesses, such as restaurants and cafes, will be forced to close, although takeaway will be allowed.
Supermarkets and other essential shops will remain open throughout the lockdown.
Socialising in other houses is not allowed and only six people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors, such as in a private garden or public place.
Everyone should work from home if they can and any travel to and from a workplace should be essential only.
All leisure and entertainment facilities will be closed and places of worship will be limited to 20 people only.
Weddings, civil services and funerals can go ahead with a maximum of 20 people. The only exception to the lockdown will be on the islands – with Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and other island communities moving to Level 3 restrictions.
SCHOOLS
THE current school term will finish as expected.
However, it’s anticipated most pupils will not physically return to school until January 18. Pupils will carry out home learning between January 11 and 18.
Only the children of key workers and vulnerable children will be allowed to return to the classroom on or around January 5 – the original start-back date.
For the majority of pupils, the new term will begin with online and remote learning. Lessons will be carried out at home, until at least January 18, when a decision will be made about a full return to the classroom.
TRAVEL WITHIN THE UK
RESTRICTIONS remain in place, which will make it illegal to drive to and from any other part of the UK, unless it is for an essential purpose.
Anyone who travels outwith their council area – other than on Christmas Day – will be breaking the law and if caught can be fined or face police action.
It will be up to police and transport operators how this law is enforced.
FOREIGN TRAVEL
IT is not currently illegal to go on holiday overseas, but the First Minister has given ‘strong advice’ against all non-essential foreign travel. The position on international travel is being reviewed and there will be an update next week.
WHEN WILL THIS END?
MOST of Scotland has five days left in its current level before the changes come into effect on December 26.
Although the new lockdown restrictions for mainland Scotland will be in place for three weeks from Boxing Day, Ms Sturgeon announced yesterday that these will be reviewed after two weeks.
Meanwhile, it is understood that no final, binding decision will be taken until mid-January on when all pupils will return fully to school, with the situation kept under review.