CORONAVIRUS: PHASE 3

Coronavirus in Scotland

Scotland is now in Phase 3. The changes and dates are as follows;

In light of rising cases, tighter restrictions have been imposed.

On 7 October the First Minister announced that further restrictions would be introduced on a nationwide basis with other specific measures being introduced across the central belt reflecting the higher rates of incidence and prevalence currently in that area in general.  In addition, some existing rules and guidance will be strengthened alongside wider measures to reduce the transmission.

The central belt is for these purposes defined as covering the health board regions of Lothian, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Ayrshire & Arran and Greater Glasgow & Clyde (see below for how we are defining the central belt)

Temporary measures are planned to last for 16 days starting for licensed premises at 18:00 on Friday 9 October  and at 00:01 Saturday 10 October  for all other restrictions.  They will run until Sunday 25 October inclusive.

Nationwide measures (outside the central belt area)

The following temporary measures will apply nationwide outside the central belt:

Hospitality (food and drink premises)

• all premises may only open indoors between 6 am and 6 pm, with no sale of alcohol

• all premises may open outdoors until 10pm, including for the sale of alcohol, if licensed to do so

• current meeting rules apply in hospitality settings: maximum of 6 people from 2 households

• limited exemption for meals and drinks (without alcohol) for guests staying in accommodation, for transport and for student residences that are licensed premises. (Alcohol sales are permitted as part of room service within licensed accommodation)

• exemption for specific life events (e.g. wedding receptions), which may continue (with alcohol) as per current meeting rules (e.g. 20 person limit in regulated premises)

• exemption for take-aways – subject to local licensing

Temporary central belt measures

Hospitality (food and drink premises)

• licensed premises must close

• only the parts of a licensed premises where food or drink are served have to close. For example, the bar in a licensed clubhouse would have to close, but the shop could remain open. Licensed cafes may open from 0600—1800 (without alcohol sale or consumption)

• unlicensed premises may open between 6 am and 6 pm

• current meeting rules apply: maximum of 6 people from 2 households

• limited exemption for meals and drinks (without alcohol) for guests staying in accommodation, for transport and for student residences that are licensed premises. (Alcohol sales are permitted as part of room service within licensed accommodation)

• exemption for specific life events (e.g. wedding receptions) – which may continue (with alcohol) as per current meeting rules (20 person limit in regulated premises).

• exemption for take-aways – subject to local licensing

Travel 

• we want people to be safe. We are not advising that people who have already booked holiday accommodation in October need to cancel. More generally, please think about whether you need to travel, especially if you live in or would be travelling to, or through, the central belt. The Scottish Government is asking people within the central belt areas (see end note for definition) to think carefully about whether they need to travel outside their local health board area and, where that is necessary, to plan to do so safely

• working from home is expected of all those who can. Non-essential offices should remain closed. Public transport use should be minimised as much as possible – such as for education and work - where it cannot be done from home

• active travel (walking, cycling) is encouraged to leave safe space on public transport for those who have no alternative

Sports, exercise and leisure

• no group exercise classes for indoor gyms/sports courts, pools. (Exemption for U18s)

• no contact sports/ training – except professional sports, indoor or outdoor. (Exemption for U18s)

• no outdoor live events

• snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling, casinos and bingo halls must close

Additional measures to reduce transmission of the virus 

Review during the two weeks of temporary measures:

• during the two week (16 day) period we will work with all sectors to review guidance in place to ensure all steps are being taken to minimise transmission and support compliance with regulations

• this will include working with food and drink premises on inspections and further measures to support customer compliance and reduce the prospects of transmission within food and drink establishments

• we will seek to ensure that those who are self-isolating can continue to work from home, when well, and receive pay

Further Additional Measures:

• face coverings: We will regulate on the use of face-coverings in indoor communal and social settings – for example in corridors, workplace canteens and break rooms etc

• retail: Further transmission-reducing measures will be developed with the sector: for example, 2 metre distancing requirement and stronger communications activity on the importance of adhering to the regulations

• self-isolation: we will work with councils and third sector partners to mobilise community volunteers to support people who are self-isolating

• safer workplaces: We will develop a Food Sector Protocol to help food businesses deal more effectively with outbreaks

Wednesday 23 September 2020

Inside people’s homes 

• Do not meet people from any other households in your home or another person’s home socially, unless they are in your extended household

• These rules also apply to children

• Children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between homes, as can non-cohabiting couples

• Very limited exemptions apply for childcare, and for tradespeople

Private gardens or public outdoors spaces 

• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in outdoor spaces

• You should limit as far as possible the total number of households you meet in a day

• Under-12s do not count towards the maximum number of households or number of people who can meet outdoors. Under-12s do not have to physically distance

• A maximum of six 12 to 17 year olds can meet in outdoor spaces, with no household limit. Physical distancing is still required

Indoors in public spaces

• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in public indoor spaces such as cafes, pubs and restaurants

• Children under 12 from those two households do not count towards the limits

Friday 25 September 2020

Hospitality

• Pubs, restaurants and all hospitality settings will be required to close at 10pm

• Table service will continue to be required in all hospitality premises

Car sharing

• You should only car share with members of your own, or extended, household, and follow guidance when there is no alternative

Working

• You must continue to work from home where practicable

With effect from Monday 14 September

• Public gatherings are restricted to six people from two households, and will apply both indoors and outdoors - including in homes, gardens, pubs and restaurants.

• Children under the age of 12 will not count towards the total

• Limited exceptions to the rules for organised sports, places of worship and wedding and funeral services - which will be capped at 20 guests.

With effect from Monday 24 August

• Outdoor contact sports (all ages) can resume following guidance of relevant sports bodies.

• Outdoor seated live events and outdoor open space live events – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance. Work will be undertaken with the sector on options for larger pilot events.

• Driving lessons can resume – following guidance.

• Child contact centres can re-open following guidance.

• Face-to-face advice services, including Citizens Advice, can resume – following guidance.

• Bingo halls can re-open with physical distancing and following guidance.

• Amusement arcades and casinos can re-open following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene).

• Snooker/pool halls and indoor bowling can re-open – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene).

• Funfairs – both static and travelling – can re‑open, following guidance.

With effect from Monday 31 August

• Gyms (indoor) can re-open – following guidance.

• Swimming pools can re-open – following guidance.

• Indoor sports courts can reopen – following guidance, incl. skating, dance studios: Children (0-12) years can resume all activity; adults and young people (12+) can resume non-contact activity only.

• Indoor activities for children and young people (unregulated) can resume subject to guidance that will vary by activity. Indoor youth work can resume for young people in line with guidance.

The following are indicative dates only – conditional on 10 September review

With effect from Monday 14 September

• Indoor soft play can re-open – following guidance (e.g. no ball pools, enhanced hygiene).

• Certain indoor live events – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance. Work will be undertaken with the sector on options for pilot events.

• Other indoor entertainment venues – following guidance with physical distancing requirements (e.g. theatres, live music venues). Not nightclubs.

• Indoor sports courts– including skating and dance studios – can be used by adults and young people (12+) for contact sports – subject to guidance.

• Stadia – limited re-opening – following guidance (e.g. physical distancing, restricted numbers) – with option for testing on earlier dates subject to agreement with government.

• Outdoor focussed standing live events – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance. Work will be undertaken with the sector on options for larger pilot events.

 See below for past announcements

• People with symptoms must now isolate for 10 days

• The use of face coverings will become mandatory in shops in Scotland from 9 July

Friday 10 July

• Outdoors – a household can meet up to 4 other households at a time – up to 15 people in total.

• Indoors – a household can meet up to 2 other households at a time – up to 8 people in total. This includes overnight stays

• The limit on the number of other households you can meet per day (indoors or outdoors) does not apply to young people who are under 18.

• Children aged 11 or under no longer need to physically distance indoors. Young people aged 12-17 must continue to physically distance.

• Extended Households: All non cohabiting partners (and any children under 18 in the household) can form extended households without physical distancing.

Monday 13 July

• Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open (following guidance and with physical distancing)

• All dental practices may begin to see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care. Urgent care centres will continue to provide aerosol generating procedures

• Organised outdoor contact sports, play and physical activity can resume for children and young people under 18 (subject to guidance).

• Face-to-face youth work can resume outdoors (following relevant guidance).

Wednesday 15 July 

• Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers.

• Museums, galleries, monuments, libraries, various other visitor attractions, cinemas (including drive-ins and venues screening films) – with physical distancing and other measures (e.g. ticketing in advance).

• Hairdressers and barbers can re-open – with enhanced hygiene measures.

• All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements

• Indoor hospitality can reopen (subject to physical distancing rules and guidance).

• All holiday accommodation permitted (following relevant guidance).

• Easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations with physical distancing (limited numbers). Associated receptions are subject to restrictions on hospitality and household meetings.

Wednesday 22 July

• Universities and colleges – Phased return to on campus learning as part of a blended model with remote teaching. Public health measures (including physical distancing) in place.

• Other personal retail services such as beauticians and tailors can re-open – with enhanced hygiene measures.

• Motorcycle instruction and theory/hazard tests can resume. Tractor driver instruction can resume.

From 1 August

• Pause Shielding

From 3 August

• Relax restrictions for some support groups and services and some sports coaches once relevant guidance implemented

• Routine eye care services can be provided within community optometry practices and in patient's homes

From 11 August 

• Children return full time to school - phased return until 18 August

From 17 August 

• Urgent dental care using aerosols may begin for NHS patients

Here are the new rules 

Every person in Scotland must comply with these measures

Please be aware that restrictions in Scotland differ from those elsewhere in the UK. For residents of Scotland, please see https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

This page has been designed to provide up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you need medical help, please use the NHS 24 111 service.

Please click here for more general information.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus