Scotland will move to level 0 from next Monday and will do so with certain modifications to the indicative plans earlier brought announced.

This is intended to ensure that the pace of easing restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge the country  continues to face from the Delta variant.

Certain mitigations – such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings – will remain in place for some time to come in all likeliehood.

The move to level 0 on Monday 19th July:

  • 8 people from up to 4 households can meet indoors at home
  • 10 people from up to 4 households can meet in a public indoor space – such as a pub or restaurant.
  • 15 people from up to 15 households can meet outdoors – whether in a private garden or public place.
  • Children under 12 already don’t count towards the total number of people. From Monday, they will not count towards the total number of households ether.
  • Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.
  • No requirement for customers to pre-book a two-hour slot to go to a pub or restaurant. However, customers will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect. And they will still be required to wear face coverings except when seated.
  • Events and stadia attendances – will increase outdoors to 2000 seated and 1000 standing, and indoors to 400.  And organisers will be able to apply to stage larger events.

 

Modifications from original plans:

  • Hospitality venues in level 0 – in all parts of Scotland – will require to close at midnight
  • In indoor public places, where there isn’t already a 1m rule in place, the physical distance requirement will reduce from 2m to 1m and will apply between different household groups.
  • For meeting outdoors, there will be no requirement to distance in a group of up to 15. However, for the next 3 weeks at least, there will be a requirement for 1m distancing between different groups of 15.
  • The Economy Secretary intends to work with the events sector on guidance to explore how events already organised might still go ahead, with appropriate modifications
  • A gradual return to the office could begin from level 0 will be postponed until we move beyond level 0 – which the Scottish Government still hope will be on 9 August.

 

Future intentions: requirement for close contacts of positive cases to self-isolate

  • When we move beyond level 0, the Scottish Government intend to remove the blanket requirement for close contacts to self isolate, as long as they are double vaccinated – with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose – and take a PCR test that comes back negative. Guidance will be published.
  • Education advisory group will provide advice on whether, to what extent and with what mitigations we can remove the self isolation requirement for young people in education settings who are close contacts of positive cases. Conclusions will be set out well in advance of the new term.
  • From next Monday, self-isolation will no longer be required for people arriving from countries on the amber list, provided they are fully vaccinated through a UK vaccination programme and take a PCR test on the second day after arrival.  A precautionary approach will be taken to the inclusion of countries on the amber list. The Scottish Government continues to advise against non-essential overseas travel at this time.

 

Those at the highest clinical risk

  • For as long as necessary the public will be asked to take sensible precautions – like the wearing of face coverings – to allow those at clinical risk, like everyone else, to enjoy more normal life again.
  • The Scottish Government are also launching a survey this week for those on the highest risk list to tell us what additional support they need.
  • The Chief Medical Officer will write to those people this week with further advice.
  • Anyone at high clinical risk who has not yet had the vaccine is asked to do so, if they are able