Mainland Scotland will go into a 3 week, Level 4 lockdown from Boxing Day. It means the closure of many businesses including clothes shops, gyms, hairdressers and restaurants, with only essential shops permitted to stay open. But WHAT is classed as essential?
Food
All supermarkets, food shops, markets, takeaways, newsagents and off-licenced and licenced shops can stay open.
These include:
- Sainsbury’s
- Asda
- Tesco
- Morrisons
- Lidl
- Aldi
- M&S
- Waitrose
- Co-operative
- Scotmid
Pharmacy
Pharmacies (including non-dispensing pharmacies) and chemists will remain open. This includes:
- Boots
- Superdrug
- Specsavers
- Vision Express
DIY and homeware
Homeware, building supplies, hardware stores and bicycle shops will be allowed to stay open. These includes:
- B&M
- Homebase
- Home Bargains
- IKEA
- Pondland
- Next Home
- Timpsons
- B&Q
- Wickes
- The Toolbox
- Toolstation
- Halfords
Gardening
Garden centres and plant nurseries are classed as essential. This includes:
- Dobbies Garden Centre
Travel
Some services relating to travel – including car sales – are classed as essential. This includes:
- Petrol stations (including at supermarkets)
- Car repair and MOT services
- Taxi or vehicle hire businesses
- Garages
- Outdoor car lots
Banks and Post office
The Post Office and banks will be open throughout tier 4 lockdown. Services include:
- Banks
- Building societies
- Credit unions
- Short-term loan providers
- Savings clubs
- Cash points and undertakings which by way of business operate a currency exchange office, transmit money (or any representation of money) by any means or cash cheques which are made payable to customers
- Post Offices
Pets shops and vets
Veterinary surgeons and pet shops are classed as essential.
- Pets at Home
Medical services
Medical and health services will be available during lcokdown. These include:
- Dental services
- Opticians
- Audiology services
- Chiropody services
- Chiropractors
- Osteopaths
- Mental health services
Markets
Sales which happen in outdoor spaces can serve customers. This includes:
- Food markets
- Livestock markets
- Farmers markets
- Car auction lots
- Outdoor garden centres and plant nurseries
Car parks and toilets
Other essential services, such as car parks, toilets and storage will be open.
- Car parks
- Public toilets
- Storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off or collection points
- Funeral directors
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
