The Scottish Government have published updated Strategic Framework and Physical Distancing Review, following the First Minister’s statement to Parliament on 22 June.
During the statement First Minister announced the whole of Scotland will move to Level 0 on 19 July if all necessary vaccination and harm reduction measures are met.
Current levels will remain in place for the next three weeks with a review taking place on 13 July although some changes, such as minor relaxations to rules on events such as weddings and funerals will come into place on 28 June.
The First Minister also confirmed that from 19 July physical distancing outdoors will be removed and physical distancing for indoor public areas will reduce to one metre if the data allows. Limits on outdoor gatherings will also be removed on this date given the reduced risk of outdoor transmission at this stage in the vaccination programme.
If the necessary conditions on vaccination and harm reduction continue to be met, all major remaining COVID restrictions will be lifted on 9 August.
The Strategic Review sets out how and why our COVID-19 response strategy will change in light of new conditions and what a move beyond Level 0 will look like. While, the Physical Distancing Review sets out the outcome of a review of physical distancing in public places.
From 28 June
- suppliers and others employed at a wedding will no longer count towards the cap on attendance
- A bride, groom and other designated persons accompanying them no longer require to wear face-coverings when walking down the aisle
- live entertainment will be permitted at weddings
- more than one household will be permitted to carry the coffin and/or take a cord at a funeral crematoriums and churches can relay funeral services to outside areas
From 19 July
- celebrations of life events such as christenings, bar mitzvahs and anniversaries will be permitted to take place under similar guidelines as weddings and funerals
- different households will be able to share a bedroom in tourist accommodation
Some measures are expected to continue beyond Level 0 including:
- good hand hygiene and surface cleaning
- continued promotion of good ventilation
- a requirement for face coverings in certain settings (e.g. public transport and retail)
- continued compliance with Test and Protect, including self-isolation when necessary
- an ongoing need for outbreak management capability, including active surveillance
- a greater degree of working from home than pre COVID-19 where this is possible and appropriate based on business and employee choice
