East and South Ayrshire face fresh lockdown misery from Friday after yesterday's Scottish Government coronavirus levels announcement.
At the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 11 local authority areas would move into the highest level of restrictions.
The bombshell news will be a devastating blow for people and businesses across East and South Ayrshire with the usually busy Christmas period fast approaching.
Restrictions kick in from 6pm on Friday night with Ms Sturgeon telling MSPs they are intended to only be in place until Friday, December 11.
North Ayrshire has escaped Level 4 status after successfully making its case to remain at Level 3.
The council areas to be placed in Level 4 restrictions are: Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Lothian.
Here is what Level 4 status means for people across East and South Ayrshire...
●No in-home socialising (limited exceptions).
●Outdoor socialising limited to six people from two households.
●No non-essential travel into or out of Tier 4 area. This will become the law. Exemptions include going to work or school/further education; shopping; health matters; outdoor exercise; weddings and funerals; shared parenting and transit through restricted areas.
●Walk, run, cycle or wheel where possible. Avoid car sharing with people outside extended household. No use of public transport unless for essential purposes; face coverings to be worn in those instances.
●Non-essential retail closed although click and collect and outdoor retail permitted.
●Close-contact businesses such as hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians must close. Mobile contact services not permitted.
●Events are not permitted and stadia/grounds remain closed to spectators.
●Places of worship are open to a maximum of 20 people.
●Weddings/civil partnerships – limit of 15 people. No receptions.
●Funerals and wakes – limit of 20 people. No receptions.
●Early Learning Centres and formal childcare stay open but are subject to "targeted intervention" which may impact on capacity.
●Informal childcare is for essential workers only and in line with household/numbers restrictions. Only children may enter another household.
●Schools will remain open but with enhanced and targeted protective measures.
●Restricted blended learning for university and college students.
●Indoor gyms closed. Outdoor non-contact sports only (professional permitted).
●Leisure and entertainment venues and facilities closed.
●Driving lessons are not permitted.
●Visitor attractions closed.
●Public buildings such as libraries closed.
●Essential face-to-face public services only but should be online if possible.
●Essential workers only for offices/call centres, working from home should be facilitated.
●Children's activities including youth clubs are not permitted.
●Essential workplaces, outdoor workplaces, construction and manufacturing can remain open but working from home should be default option.
