People will be able to travel anywhere in Scotland from April 16, as Nicola Sturgeon announces a further reduction in coronavirus restrictions earlier than initially planned.
From this date, six adults from six households will be able to meet outside, with children under the age of 12 not included in these numbers.
The First Minister has said that significant progress has been made in reducing the number of Covid-19 cases in Scotland.
Addressing the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Apr 13, Ms Sturgeon said figures are now at their lowest since September, and have fallen by 40% in the past two weeks.
Ms Sturgeon went on to say that she was extremely confident that Scotland will drop from Level 4 to Level 3 from Apr 26, which will allow for outdoor hospitality, including pubs and restaurants, to reopen outdoors, with restricted indoor reopenings.
1286348929 By Scott Wright THE limits on trading brought by continuing coronavirus restrictions have left companies “close to exhaustion,” a leading Scottish business figure has declared. Tim Allan, president of Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), underlined the toll on business from “some of the most challenging trading conditions in modern history” as the group revealed the findings of its latest quarterly report. It warned that businesses in Scotland “face significant hurdles” on the path to recovery. The Quarterly Economic Indicator (QEI) for the first quarter, which completes a full year of measuring the effects of lockdown on businesses, shows retail was the worst performing sector over the first three months of the year.
Groups representing retail and hospitality businesses have called for additional flexibility from the Scottish Government, claiming current plans fail to offer any solace to firms. Under new plans announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday, people will be able to leave their local authority area for the purposes of socialising, recreation or exercise, from Friday. Rules on gatherings will also be relaxed, with six adults from up to six households able to meet up outside. Scotland’s current lockdown easing plan will see cafes, restaurants and beer gardens open on April 26, along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums. However, hospitality will need to close their doors at 8pm indoors and 10pm outdoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.