NICOLA Sturgeon will today make a statement to MSPs outlining if coronavirus restrictions will be eased across Scotland later this month following plans to move the country to the lowest curbs.
An indicative date of Monday, July 19 had previously been put forward for the country to move to Level 0, with further restrictions to move "beyond Level 0" set to be relaxed on August 9.
The First Minister said last Thursday she hoped the country could move to Level 0 though some doubt was cast over whether her government would press ahead with the plans amid a recent spike in infections.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said on Sunday, Scotland is "past the worst" of the current peak and a "positive trend" was beginning to emerge in the data despite daily cases still being high.
Many parts of Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Stirling are currently on Level 2, while Highland, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen and
Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, East and West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders are on Level 1.
Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles are currently on Level 0.
The following are some of the main restrictions which apply to Level 0.
* Meeting up with other people:
Up to 8 people from 4 households can meet indoors and can stay overnight; up to 10 people from 4 households can meet in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant; up to 15 people from 15 households outdoors.
* Weddings and funerals:
Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.
* You should work from home where possible.
* What can open at Level 0?
Places and business that can open at Level 0 include; cafés, pubs and restaurants, all shops and stores, all close contact services including hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons, all sport and exercise, tourist accommodation, all visitor attractions, all public buildings like libraries and community centres all entertainment (apart from nightclubs and adult entertainment), stadiums and events – with maximum numbers, a limited and phased return to offices.
Outdoor seated and open space events are advised to operate with a maximum capacity of 2,000 people.
Outdoor grouped standing events are advised to operate with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people. Seated indoor events are advised to operate with a maximum of 400 people.
* What must close at Level 0?
Places and business that must close at Level 0 include: nightclubs and adult entertainment
*Rules on the face mask wearing.
It is compulsory to wear a face mask in Level 0 in shops, on public transport or in any crowded place. Their use is mandatory in restaurants, cafes, bars, banks and in workplaces. This is because transmission is most likely to occur when people are close to each other in crowded and poorly ventilated places. They also must be worn in health and social care settings.
* Advice to people who are shielding in Level 0. The advice is to follow that given to the general population.
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