Lockdown easing will begin on Friday, Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.
The First Minister confirmed a range of relaxations on the tough measures imposed upon Ayrshire and Scotland as a whole since the end of last year.
Ms Sturgeon had previously given indicative dates for the reopening of society and the economy but plans were rubber-stamped yesterday.
A number of businesses can reopen under strict conditions from Monday while the 'stay at home' message, which has been in place for several months, will be lifted ahead of the weekend.
'Stay Local'
From Friday, April 2, the 'stay at home' message will be lifted.
Instead, it will be replaced with a 'stay local' message. This means residents can leave their homes for non-essential purposes.
But travel restrictions will remain in place and the public shouldn't leave their local authority unless it's for an essential purpose.
Travel restrictions will remain in place for three more weeks at least, the First Minister confirmed.
Shopping
The reopening of non-essential ‘click and collect’ retail will get underway on Monday, April 5.
Extending the list of retail permitted to open under these conditions now includes:
- Key cutting shops
- Mobility equipment shops
- Baby equipment shops
- Electrical repair shops
- Homeware shops
- Vehicle showrooms (appointment only) and forecourts
Hairdressers
Hairdressers and barbers are allowed to reopen from Monday, April 5.
Dodgy home haircuts will hopefully be a thing of the past as the pros can get back to work next week.
The Scottish Government say only hairdressers and barbers with shopfronts – no mobile hairdressers – can open by appointment only.
Garden centres
Garden centres (indoor and outdoor) can reopen on Monday, April 5.
The development will be welcome for people hoping to add a bit of life to their garden or to paint that fence ahead of the better weather arriving (hopefully).
Students and sports
The return of college students within the top three priority groups identified by Colleges Scotland as most likely not to complete this academic year (estimated as 29 per cent of learners) will resume learning on Monday.
In addition, outdoor contact sport for 12 to 17-year-olds can resume from Monday also.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
