As Covid restrictions in Scotland end, life will look quite different next week.
Several rules that were put in place to hit the brakes on the Omicron surge will now be done away with.
From Monday, January 24, a number of restrictions enacted last month will end, ranging from socialising, gigs, sport and restaurants.
Nicola Sturgeon said that while cases are 'still exceptionally high', she believes Scotland has turned the corner on the Omicron surge.
The First Minister credited the downward trend in cases to people getting vaccinated, boosters, and the new restrictions.
She said: "All of this makes a difference and is the reason why we have been able to start lifting restrictions and can look ahead to a much better spring and summer."
Here's how life in Scotland will be different from next week.
1. Covid passport won't be extended
Sturgeon called this the most 'difficult' decision cabinet made yesterday.
The FM said last week that the Covid passport could be extended to include more venues, but the move has since been scrapped.
People in Scotland won't have to show their vaccine certification in any new places.
Currently, vaccine certificates need to shown in the following locations:
- Late night premises with music, which serve alcohol at any time between midnight and 5am and have a designated place for dancing for customers
- Indoor events (unseated) with 500 or more people
- Outdoor events (unseated) with 4,000 or more people
- Any event with 10,000 or more people
2. No more socialising in three households
The Scottish Government asked people to limit socialising to three households before and after Christmas.
This guidance continued through January and will end on Monday, January 24.
Even still, the First Minister asked Scots to keep gatherings as small as circumstances allow at least until the end of January.
Scots should continue to take lateral flow tests when they are planning to see others.
3. Indoor events are back
Live events indoors and outdoors were restricted after Boxing Day in a bid to slow the spread of Omicron cases.
Capacity limits to outdoor events were lifted on the 17th in the first easing of restrictions imposed due to the new variant.
Now the caps on indoor events (200 seated, 100 standing) are set to be removed on the 24th as well, clearing the way for shows, theatre and events in Scotland.
4. Nightclubs reopening
Nightclubs were shuttered on December 27 in another effort to slow the Omicron surge.
Revellers in Scotland were unable to go to clubs or head to Edinburgh's Hogmanay party this past New Year.
The good news is that clubs will reopen on the 24th exactly four weeks after they were closed.
5. Going to pubs and restaurants
Since December 27, hospitality venues in Scotland have been required to do table service if they serve alcohol in order to reduce crowding.
The requirement for table service in pubs and restaurants will be removed among the many other restrictions ending.
Hospitality will be able to accommodate more customers under the new rules.
6. No more one metre distancing indoors
Physical distancing between groups was brought back after Boxing Day for the first time since August.
Businesses in Scotland were tasked with reducing crowding and queues with one metre distancing between groups required in most places indoors like restaurants, bars, cafes and cinemas.
This requirement will also be lifted from Monday.
7. Playing sport
Indoor contact sports can resume after a month in Scotland with no restrictions on the number of households meeting together.
The lifting of restrictions on indoor sport will be heralded by fans and players of ice hockey, basketball and all sports clubs.
8. Jabs and boosters for children and teens
Invitations will be sent from this week for further jabs and boosters.
Certain children from five to 11-years-old will be invited for their first vaccination from this week. This will only apply to kids with a specific medical condition that puts them at greater risk from Covid, according to JCVI advice.
Kids of the same age group who live with immunocompromised people will also be invited for a jab.
Invitation letters for boosters will be sent to teens aged 12 to 15 who are at 'particular clinical risk' of Covid 12 weeks after their last dose.
Second doses for 12 to 15-year-olds are already available to book online or at drop-in centres.
9. A possible return to working in person
Scots should continue to work from home, but this could be coming to an end.
The First Minister said: "The Government will engage with businesses now about a return to a more hybrid approach from the start of February if case numbers continue to decline."
10. Some rules will remain
Requirements for face coverings, collecting customer details in hospitality settings, as well as the Covid passport scheme will continue as other restrictions end.
