The continued low incidence of the virus in Scotland means we can now take the next steps in easing out of lockdown.
From tomorrow (3 July), the Scottish Government will lift guidance advising people to travel no more than 5 miles for leisure purposes.
This is still subject to existing rules on numbers of households meeting up.
Self-contained holiday accommodation, including holiday cottages, lodges, or caravans – can also reopen.
To allow more interaction between young people, children aged 11 and under will be able to play outdoors, without physical distancing.
This is in groups of up to eight and of no more than two other households.
The Scottish Government will lift the number of meetings those aged 12 to 17 can have in any one day.
This will enable them to meet different groups of friends at different times of day.
From Monday 6 July, outdoor hospitality, such as pavement cafes and beer gardens, can re-open.
From 15 July, self-catering accommodation where access and facilities are shared
FACE COVERINGS
From the expected start of phase 3 (10 July) wearing face coverings will be mandatory in shops.
Face coverings are one of the ways we keep safe, by reducing the risk of transmission indoors. This does not mean surgical or other medical masks, but a covering of the mouth and nose that is made of cloth or other textiles.
NB: Face coverings are already mandatory on all public transport. This includes taxis and private hire cabs, buses, trains, the Glasgow subway, planes and enclosed areas on ferries.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
The advice from the Covid 19 expert advisory group in relation to physical distancing is clear. The science on physical distancing has not changed.
The Scottish Government’s general advice is unchanged – you should remain 2 metres away from other people, if at all possible. However, the Scottish Government know that 2 metre distancing has a serious economic impact, which in turn can affect people’s health.
As Scotland enters phase 3 of the route map, there will be exemptions for specific sectors where agreed mitigations must be put in place. This will allow businesses in relevant sectors, if they choose, to operate with a 1 metre distance on condition that agreed mitigations are implemented.
The Scottish Government propose granting an exception for outdoor hospitality; indoor hospitality; public transport and retail and to finalise detailed guidance.
Mitigations might include improved ventilation; perspex screens; regulating customer flow; and seating plans which reduce the risk of transmitting the infection.
For hospitality, and possibly others, it will also include the collection of names and addresses, for contact tracing.
Until guidance is agreed, 2 metre distancing will remain in place for ALL establishments.
If infection levels start to rise again, the Scottish Government may also reimpose a 2 metre rule, and take other public health measures necessary to keep us safe.
Remember FACTS:
- Face coverings in enclosed spaces
- Avoid crowded places
- Clean hands and surfaces regularly
- Two metre distancing; and
- Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4t7EjeBHdg