How about Christmas?
The five-day relaxation period for the lockdown over Christmas has been canceled due to fears of a spike in cases. The Prime Minister announced on December 19 that a maximum of eight people from three families could mingle on Christmas Day only. The travel ban will also be lifted temporarily on December 25.
The emergency speech came after talks with the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland, Michael Gove and England and Wales face similar restrictions Over Christmas.
The meeting comes after scholars called on the government to review plans to allow families to mix during Christmas, following an increase in the population Coronavirus cases.
Before the meeting, she said, “I think there is an issue for us to consider whether we will tighten the flexibility that has been given more in terms of duration and number of people to meet.
“And I’m going to look at the other countries’ views – if we can reach an agreement between four countries, I think that would be better.
“If this is not possible, then of course we will look within the Scottish government at what we think is appropriate.”
Ms. Sturgeon added: “If you can avoid mixing with other families during Christmas, and especially at home, please do so.
“ But if you feel it is necessary to do so – and try to be realistic in realizing that some people will – please reduce unnecessary connections as much as possible every now and then.
Scotland diverged from the United Kingdom Corona virus Christmas Plan within 24 hours of its announcement.
If people feel it is “essential” to meet others inside, she said this should only be for a day and not overnight.
On November 26, the Scottish government set a maximum of eight people over the age of 12 for Christmas gatherings. They also stressed that families should be kept apart while they are inside.
Prime Minister Nicolas Sturgeon also suggested that families be given Christmas vouchers for health and economic reasons, and warned that on Thursday they would tighten Christmas restrictions around parties.
As it stands, three families may gather indoors, outdoors or at a place of worship for Christmas, as long as they do not get together with anyone else and do not gather together in bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Hugging is permitted, nursing home residents under the age of 65 can visit relatives, and church services may take place at Christmas.
Can I travel to Scotland after the lockdown?
Under Scottish regulations, you must not travel between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom unless you have a reasonable excuse, such as work, education or essential shopping.
These rules, which will remain under review, mean that you still cannot travel to Scotland for non-essential reasons now the lockdown in England has ended.
Other exceptions include travel for healthcare, childcare, or co-parenting, and a full list can be found at //www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/media Scottish Government website.
What are the new levels?
The five-tier system sees Scottish Council areas subject to various restrictions based on infection rate.
Scotland as a whole is subject to general rules, such as telecommuting where possible, mandatory masks on public transport, and bans on non-essential travel to and from Tier 3+ areas.
Level 0 (low)
Level 0 would see more lenient restrictions apply to low-risk areas in Scotland.
Domestic domestic mixing is permitted in homes and public places for a maximum of eight persons from three families. Outdoor socializing will be permitted for a maximum of 15 people from five families.
Hospitality open during normal licensing times, although social distancing rules still apply.
Hotel accommodations are permitted. However, non-essential travel to / from UK Tier 3+ areas will be banned.
Non-essential stores, hairdressers, movie theaters, and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.
Outdoor and indoor events are permitted in limited numbers, except for indoor group stand-alone events.
Level 1
Domestic domestic mixing will be prohibited, with exceptions such as duties of care. Outdoor socialization and in public places will be permitted for a maximum of six people from two families.
Indoor and outdoor hospitality establishments will remain open until 10:30 PM (9:30 PM last entry).
Hotel accommodations are permitted. However, non-essential travel to / from UK Tier 3+ areas will be banned.
Non-essential stores, hairdressers, movie theaters, and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted, except for contact sports for people over 18 years of age.
Weddings and funerals will be restricted to a maximum of 20 people, and places of worship will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.
Limited indoor / outdoor seating events are permitted, but grouped parking events will not be permitted.
Level 2
Restrictions on socialization will remain unchanged from Level 1.
In-house hospitality establishments will close at 8 PM (last entry 7 PM) and alcohol may only be served with the main meal. Outdoor hospitality facilities may remain open until 10:30 PM (last entry 9:30 PM).
Hotel stays are permitted, but non-essential travel to / from Tier 3+ areas of the UK is prohibited.
Non-essential stores, hairdressers, movie theaters, and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted, with the exception of contact sports by persons over the age of 18.
Weddings and funerals will be restricted to a maximum of 20 people, and places of worship will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.
Level 3
Restrictions on socialization will remain unchanged from Level 2, but the maximum number of people at weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies will be 20.
There will be more restrictions on public spaces with cinemas, arcades and bingo halls closed. Drive-in events will also be blocked.
Hospitality establishments are prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM). Non-essential stores and hairdressers will remain open.
The gyms will remain open, but indoor training will be restricted to individual training. Outdoor exercise will be limited to non-contact sports with the exception of people under the age of 18. Professional sport will continue.
Hotel stays will be permitted when necessary. Only unnecessary stays in hotels for locals will be allowed.
Level 4 (very high)
Scots in Covid-19 areas will be placed in near-lockdowns, with travel restrictions and instructions to stay home.
Restrictions on social media remain the same in Level 3 areas, but Ms. Sturgeon advised people to stay home as much as possible.
Unnecessary shops and hospitality establishments will be closed without exception.
Hairdressers and other liaison services (for example, beauticians) will be closed.
Domestic work is recommended in all sectors except for basic work, outside work, construction and manufacturing jobs.
Non-essential travel to or outside Tier 4 areas will be prohibited and public transportation should only be used when necessary.
Gyms will be closed and outdoor sports will be restricted to non-contact sports. However, professional sports are allowed to continue.
Informal childcare is permitted for children of key workers, and formal childcare will be subject to “targeted intervention.”
As of Friday, December 11th, there are no local authorities under Level 4 restrictions.
What are the areas in which category?
The five-tier system allocates a level of restrictions in each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas from zero to four.
Level 0
There will be no Local Authorities at Level 0 (the most permissive level) as of November 2.
Level 1
Seven local authorities are subject to Tier 1 restrictions:
- Highland
- Murray
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Western islands
- The Scottish Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
Level 2
Seven Local Authorities have been assigned to Level 2:
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Argyll and Bott
- East Lothian
- Midlothian
Level 3
20 local authorities classified under level 3:
- Fife
- Angus
- Perth and Kinross
- North Ayrshire
- Inverclyde
- City of Edinburgh
- Clackmannanshire
- Falkirk
- Dundee
- City of Glasgow
- Renfrewshire
- East Renfrewshire
- East Donbartonshire
- West Dunbartonshire
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- Stirling
- West Lothian
Level 4
As of 6 PM on December 11, there are no local authorities at Level 4.
