Nicola Sturgeon has laid out a series of dates for Scotland to move through all of the lockdown levels, that could see the country leave level zero by July.
Speaking at St Andrews House today, the First Minister confirmed all of the restrictions that will ease from April 26, as well as an idea of how the country will continue to move out of lockdown.
With non-essential retail, beer gardens, gyms and many other outlets to reopen from Monday, it was also confirmed that travel within the UK will also be permitted from this date.
As cases continue to remain low, Sturgeon stated that gave an idea of how they hope Scotland will be able to relax restrictions over the summer.
With mention of restrictions "much more like normality" by some point in July, the First Minister set out a number of dates that will see changes in the coming months.
These are as follows:
April 26
This will see Scotland move to the adapted version of level three restrictions, where a number of outlets will reopen after months.
On this date:
- Travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will reopen
- Non-essential retail will reopen
- Gyms, leisure centres will reopen for indivdual exercise
- Restaurants will reopen until 8pm without the serving of alcohol
- Outdoor restaurants and bars can open until 10pm and serve alcohol
- Indoor attractions and public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries can open
- Takeaway food can be collected indoors
- Driving tests and lessons can resume
May 17
Nicola Sturgeon added that although not confirmed, Scotland is on track to move to level two on May 17.
This will allow a further reopening of hospitality as well as small gatherings inside other people's homes.
It also includes:
- Up to 4 people from 2 household can socialise indoors in a private home and up to 6 people from up to 3 households may socialise in an indoors public space
- Up to 8 people from up to 8 households may socialise outdoors
- hospitality venues can open until:
- 22:30 indoors (alcohol permitted, 2 hour slots)
- outdoors - local licensing laws apply
- all organised sport and exercise activity permitted except adult indoor contact sports
- cinemas, theatres, concert halls, music venues, comedy clubs, amusement arcades, and bingo halls can open, subject to capacity constraints
June 7
Speaking today, Nicola Sturgeon stated that she expects June 7 will be the date Scotland can move to level one of lockdown restrictions.
The FM said: "We then expect, assuming that the data continues to go in the right direction that all of Scotland will move to level two on 17th of May.
"Then, if circumstances permit, I can confirm that it would be the intention to move to level one on 7th June.
Late June/July
Although refraining from giving an exact date, the FM stated that level zero, the lightest stage of restrictions, will be introduced in late June.
Speaking about the stage after that, she said that a much more normal life should resume as the summer continues.
She added: "I hope we will be moving to level zero in late June, and then as we go into the deeper part of the summer for something much more like normality."
