Further easing of Scottish Covid19 Restrictions have been announced today as Scots enter Phase 3 of the exit route map, a path to more normal times.
By law, Scotland has to review the situation every 3 weeks and today, Thursday 9th July 2020 is the latest of these milestones. As always we’re summarising and bringing you the news exclusively whilst it happens. Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has just delivered an announcement in Holyrood confirming the following phased changes:
Latest Statistics
9 people were in ICU in Scotland, three of whom have covid. In the past 24 hours, there were 0 deaths. The total number is 2,490 deaths. Every single death a tragedy and our thoughts go to all those families. The R number is between 0.6-0.8.
Social Interaction
From tomorrow, Friday 10th July, a maximum of 15 people from up to five different households can meet together outdoors and for indoors to a maximum of 8 people from 3 different households. It’s a welcome return to being able to meet more people indoors again. Adults should not meet with people from more than 4 households in any given day.
From Monday 13 July, children and young people will also be allowed to play organised outdoor contact sports again.
Social Distancing
The 2m (6ft 6in) physical distancing rule is to be relaxed in some circumstances to allow businesses to reopen more easily. This will include the retail sector, pubs and restaurants and public transport and will also include hairdressers. For everywhere else, the general rule is 2m.
Businesses
From Monday 13th July 2020:
- Non essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open.
- Resuming some public services
- Dentists will be able to see patients for some routine treatments (non aerosol), and optometrists can begin to scale up work.
Wednesday 15th July 2020 is another key date. From then:
- Hairdressers and barbers will be able to reopen – with enhanced hygiene measures
- Indoor hospitality in pubs, cafes and restaurants will return on “a limited basis” and subject to several safety conditions. They will also be exempt from the 2m rule.
- All holiday accommodation is permitted (following relevant guidance)
- All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements
- Museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries can reopen with physical distancing and other measures. Tickets must be secured in advance.
- Places of worship can open for communal prayer (2m distancing in place) and collection of names will be required. Singing will not yet be permitted for health reasons. This has been brought forward from initial expectations.
- Attendance of services on funerals and weddings will have restrictions lifted, (Note not on gatherings like wakes or receptions)
From 22nd July :
- Personal retail services , like salons and tanning shops can resume.
There are no dates yet for indoor gyms, concerts and theatres.
Schools are still intending to return full time in August.
Shielding
From Friday 10th July, People shielding will no longer be asked to physically distance from people they live with They will be able to form an extended household if they live on their own or with children under the age of 18.
Mandatory Use of Facemasks
Facemasks will be mandatory in all Scotland’s shops from tomorrow, Friday 10th July 2020. Shops will have a right to ask customers without masks to leave. It will be the law to wear coverings.
Figures released by the National Records of Scotland on Wednesday showed the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in Scotland falling for the tenth successive week. Whilst this is welcome news, Covid IS still out there and a cautious approach is still required.
There are many signs we’re beating this virus. Whilst there will no doubt be tough times ahead for many people for a variety of reasons, its hoped these latest announcements lend a much needed little bit of normality and a step towards improving things as quickly as possible.
Stay safe.
