The fact that different parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians are now under different levels of coronavirus lockdown have been some strange effects where one local council borders another.
Last week, we reported how the rule changes would mean it was not permitted for people from Edinburgh to travel to IKEA in Midlothian, and for Midlothian or East Lothian residents to visit Fort Kinnaird.
However, the government has since issued an update saying "a person who lives next to a local authority boundary can cross that boundary for non-essential shopping if that retail outlet is in the immediate vicinity of where they live."
And as East Lothian moves into level two tomorrow (24 November), the second lowest tier of restrictions, whilst the City of Edinburgh remains under strict level three restrictions, there will also be some strange issues with road travel.
Where the city borders Midlothian, the new change will mean it is technically illegal to do a U-turn on the Sheriffhall Roundabout, with the roundabout split between the two local council areas.
One half of the City of Edinburgh Bypass falls within the city limits, but once you hit the roundabout you quickly cross over into the area covered by East Lothian Council.
Under the rules, people living in level three areas of Nicola Sturgeon's framework are unable to travel to different areas, whilst people from level two areas are unable to go to level three or level four areas for non-essential purposes.
Reasonable excuses for travel to other areas includes, but is not limited to:
- travel for work or an activity associated with seeking employment, or to provide voluntary or charitable services, but only where that cannot be done from your home
- travel to school (including travel to or from boarding school), college, or university (for example to or from home at the start or end of term) This includes travel for home education, training, school day trips or for other essential purposes connected with a course of study
- (to and from Level 3 local authority areas but not Level 4) travel for under 18s organised activities and sport
- travel for essential shopping, including essential shopping for a vulnerable person. However, you should use online shopping or shops, banks and other services in your local authority area wherever you can. In Level 3, a person who lives next to a local authority boundary can cross that boundary for non-essential shopping if that retail outlet is in the immediate vicinity of where they live.
- travel for healthcare
- travel for childcare or parental support services
Speaking during the Scottish Government's Covid-19 update on Monday, the First Minister announced East Lothian will move from Level 3 to Level 2 of coronavirus restrictions from Tuesday.
"Last week we indicated that East Lothian and Midlothian - if there was no deterioration in their positions - would, from tomorrow, move down from Level 3 to Level 2," she said.
"I can confirm that this will go ahead for East Lothian. However, the national incident management team has expressed some concern this morning about a rise in cases and test positivity over the past few days in Midlothian.
"So we will be considering that further this afternoon and we will confirm the position in relation to Midlothian later."
Ms Sturgeon said the "overwhelming majority of local authority areas will remain in the current level" of restrictions, including Edinburgh.
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The First Minister will deliver a statement updating the restrictions to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
Currently, 11 council areas are at Level 4 - the highest tier of restrictions for Scotland - including much of Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
