Scots can now enjoy more freedoms after a number of lockdown restrictions were lifted from today.
Non-essential street level shops and outdoor weddings with a limited number of guests are among those to be given the green light to resume from Monday, June 29.
It comes as part of the Scottish Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, which was revealed earlier this year.
Phase two of the plan was implemented from June 19, but there were some changes made to the timetabling on some easing of restrictions on Wednesday last week.
Scots have been able meet two other households outdoors for more than a week but have had to wait longer for the likes of playgrounds to reopen.
Here is a list of things that you will now be able to do from today.
High street shops and outdoor markets
Scots will be able to visit some of the favourite high street brands for the first time in more than three months as part of the move into this phase. “Street access” retail will be able to reopen from today with social distancing measures put in place. Outdoor markets have also been given the green light to reopen. Shopping centres will remain closed until at least July 13 as part of phase three.
Moving home
Moving into that dream home was put on hold when the lockdown was first announced back in March this year. But the Scottish Government has announced a relaxation on some restrictions to house moves from today. All home moves are permitted providing that they can be carried out safely. Scots can also leave their homes to visit estate agents, view properties or prepare a residential home to move into.
Outdoor sports courts and playgrounds
Courts used for tennis, basketball, volleyball, netball and multi-use games areas can now reopen from today. Children’s playgrounds will also be available for use. People using these must maintain strict social distancing at all times. Pitches used for contact sport (such as football) are not included.
Marriages/civil partnerships
Couples are now allowed to get married outdoors from today, but it will be under strict guidance in phase two. Ceremonies will only take place with a maximum of eight people coming from no more than three households - which includes the couple and the witnesses. The celebrant or the registrar do not count as one of the households. Further easing of restrictions will come in phases three and four.
Zoos and garden attractions
The outdoor areas of these facilities will be open to the public from today, providing that there are measures in place to ensure social distancing. Zoos and similar attractions have been encouraged to use online or telephone ticket sales to control the number of people on the sites at any given time. People who live within five miles of the attractions will only be allowed to visit them at this stage.
Indoor workplaces
Workers at the likes of factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities have been encouraged to return to their place of work if working from home is not possible today. However, non-essential offices and call centres have been excluded from this resumption until phase three.
