Covid in Scotland: Delay to lockdown easing
- Published
- comments
Scotland's move to level zero is expected to be delayed by three weeks
Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has confirmed that there will be a delay to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland.
The move to level zero - the lowest in Scotland's five-tier lockdown system - has been pushed back by three weeks.
Originally set for 28 June, Ms Sturgeon has said the current restrictions will now stay in place until 19 July before being eased, so more people can be vaccinated.
She said the aim was to lift the major remaining legal restrictions on 9 August - but that people will still have to wear face masks in some settings.
Ms Sturgeon also said there would be some changes introduced on Monday 28 June which will allow more people to attend weddings and funeral services.
Why is lockdown easing being delayed?
Nicola Sturgeon indicated last week that it was unlikely that any area would move down a level on 28 June
The number of Covid cases in Scotland has been steadily rising since early May.
Ms Sturgeon had previously said that a pause in easing restrictions was to "buy...time for vaccination to get ahead and stay ahead of the virus".
"Doing that will give us the best chance, later in July, of getting back on track and restoring the much greater normality that we all crave," she added.
While large parts of Scotland moved into level one earlier this month, and some islands went down to level zero. Many parts of the country, including Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, remain in level two, where there are stricter limits on the size of groups that can meet.
The Scottish lockdown model has five levels from zero to four.
Level zero is the closest to 'normal', with most restrictions no longer in place. Eight people from four houses will be allowed to stay in your home - including overnight.
Level four is the top level of restrictions and close to a full lockdown, with non-essential shops closed and restrictions on meeting indoors.
The first minister has previously indicated that it was unlikely any area would move down a level on 28 June.
Instead, she suggested the current level of restrictions was likely to remain until 19 July - the same date Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set as the end of England's lockdown restrictions.
Ms Sturgeon said on Friday that all adults in Scotland should have been offered a first dose of the vaccine by the end of this week, and all adults will have received a first dose by 18 July - almost two weeks ahead of schedule.
In Wales, lockdown rules are being reviewed again on 15 July, while the next planned easing in Northern Ireland is set for 5 July.
- Published15 June 2021
- Published11 November 2020
- Published22 June 2021
