It is just a matter of days until we will find out if Scotland's cautious route out of lockdown will continue with a further easing of restrictions on August 9.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to make announcement on Tuesday about whether or not this lifting of rules will go ahead as planned.
The move comes just weeks after the country entered a 'modified' Level 0 on July 19, when the majority of lockdown restrictions were ended or lessened with adaptations.
From July 19, people have been able meet indoors in public places in groups of ten adults from four households and the number of individuals permitted to meet at home was increased to eight from four households.
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Additionally, 15 adults from 15 households are currently allowed to meet in private gardens or in outdoor spaces.
However, some restrictions still remain in place - such as working from home where possible and the continued mandatory wearing of face coverings in public spaces. The 1m social distancing rule also remains compulsory in indoor public spaces.
While England's population can now return to nightclubs for dancing and live music concerts have resumed, Scotland's own 'Freedom Day', in which most remaining legal restrictions will be lifted, is expected to take place on August 9.
The government's gateway condition that would allow it to consider dropping further restrictions is that "all adults over 40" are "protected with two doses of the vaccine".
What would Freedom Day look like in Scotland?
As in England, the Scottish Government has stated that it is expecting "to move away from prescriptive rules towards an approach based more on personal judgement".
The new rules 'beyond level 0' have been described by Nicola Sturgeon as a “return to almost complete normality in our day-to-day lives” after 17 months of social curbs.
On the Scottish Government's website, it states that physical distancing requirements would be removed both indoors and outdoors if its gateway condition is met.
This would hopefully allow that much-anticipated return of nightclubs and events such as concerts - as well as full capacity stadiums for gigs and sports.
If the rule change goes ahead, it'll be the first time nightclubs in Scotland will be able to operate as normal, having remained closed for dancing and live music since lockdown began in March 2020.
This will also mean that tourist accommodation will be able to operate on a more ‘business as normal basis’ albeit with appropriate hygiene and ventilation measures still in place.
This is confirmed on the Scottish Government's website, which states: "Large-scale events will return; venues such as nightclubs will re-open and businesses will get back to operating closer to full capacity."
However, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the mandatory wearing of face coverings in certain situations will continue even after other restrictions are dropped - marking a significant break with England where masks stopped being mandatory from July 19.
It is expected that we will still be expected to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops and hospitality settings.
It is likely that the First Minister will confirm whether face coverings will be mandatory in adult entertainment venues in her briefing on August 3.
It is also possible that proof of two vaccinations may be required to enter venues such as nightclubs.
However it is stated on the government's website: "We will not use certification in Scotland unless we can address the ethical and equality issues that have been raised by experts."
Nicola Sturgeon has also already indicated that self-isolation rules will lift for fully vaccinated who test negative for coronavirus, but that Test and Protect will still be up and running.
However, although you might be able to go for a dance with your friends, don't expect to get back to the office anytime soon as the First Minister has shared that she expects to keep work from rules in place in Scotland past August 9 where possible.
Further measures that will remain in place beyond Level 0, as stated on the Scottish Government's website, include:
- Good hand hygiene and surface cleaning.
- Continued promotion of good ventilation.
- Requirement for face coverings in certain settings (e.g. public transport, retail).
- Continued compliance with Test and Protect, including self-isolation when necessary.
- Ongoing need for outbreak management capability, including active surveillance.
Additionally, overseas travel is expected to remain restricted for the foreseeable future - with the government's website stating "there are likely to be targeted restrictions on overseas travel beyond Level 0".
Nicola Sturgeon has said that a decision on whether further restrictions can be eased on August 9 as planned will be announced at a virtual session of the Scottish Parliament this coming Tuesday, August 3, at around 2pm.
