Covid: What's the roadmap for lifting lockdown?
- Published
Scotland has "paused" the lifting of lockdown restrictions for millions of people.
The decision comes as other parts of the UK also consider their next steps amid concerns about the Indian variant.
What is changing in Scotland?
Most of Scotland had been due to drop to level one in the five-tier system from next week.
Some areas will see rules eased, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a "slight slowing down" was needed in others. She said it was a "pause" while work to get more people fully vaccinated continued.
From 0001 on Saturday 5 June, the following changes take place.
Glasgow will move to Covid protection level two (down from level three).
However, other council areas already in level two will now remain there, instead of moving to level one.
The areas are: Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Clackmannanshire and Stirling.
Level two rules include:
- Groups of six from a maximum of three households can meet in private and public indoor spaces (and stay overnight)
- Eight people from eight households can meet outdoors
- Indoor licensed hospitality can reopen (until 22:30 with two-hour booked slots)
- Travel to and from other parts of Scotland is allowed
- Up to 50 people can attend weddings and funerals
- Outdoor adult contact sports is allowed
Some districts will move to Covid protection level one (down from level two).
These are Highland, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, East Lothian, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.
The rules for these areas include:
- Six people from a maximum of three households can meet in a private home (and stay overnight)
- Up to eight people from three households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant (indoors until 23:00, outdoors subject to local licensing rules)
- Twelve people from twelve households can meet outdoors
- Up to 100 people can attend weddings and funerals
- Soft play centres and funfairs can reopen
A few areas will move to Covid protection level zero (down from level one).
These are Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles and a number of remote islands.
The rules for these areas include:
- Up to eight people from four households can meet inside in a private home (and stay overnight)
- Up to 10 people from four households can meet in an indoor public place like a cafe, pub or restaurant
- Up to 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors
- Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals
In all levels, children under the age of 12 are not included in the total number of people - but they are counted in the limit on the number of different households.
Travellers to and from Scottish islands are still encouraged to take two rapid lateral flow tests before departure.
What could change in England on 21 June?
The final stage of lifting lockdown would see all legal limits on social contact removed.
However, this depends on Covid conditions being safe - including infection rates and the spread of variants of concern. A research programme into events must also be completed.
If stage four is approved, nightclubs could reopen and restrictions on performances, weddings and other life events would be lifted.
Some health experts believe the 21 June date should be delayed and the government has said it is not guaranteed. A final decision will be reached on 14 June.
Can I travel to areas with the Indian variant?
The government has updated guidance for people in eight areas: Kirklees, Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside.
It says that "wherever possible, you should try to":
- meet friends and family outside rather than inside
- keep 2m (6ft) apart from people you don't live with (unless in a support bubble with them)
- minimise travel in and out of the affected areas
How has lockdown changed in England?
Meeting up
Social distancing guidance has also changed. Contact with close family and friends is described as a matter of personal judgement, but people are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging.
Leisure and entertainment
Education
- Face coverings no longer recommended for pupils in secondary schools
- All remaining university students eligible to return to in-person teaching
Travel
How has lockdown changed in Wales?
Indoor socialising in private homes is still restricted to extended households, where two households can mix with each other (and no one else).
The government says that if conditions remain positive, its next review will consider:
- Further changes to meeting people in private homes
- Increasing the number of people who can meet outdoors
- Increasing the numbers allowed at organised activities and events
- Permitting larger-scale events to take place indoors and outdoors
What lockdown rules have been eased in Northern Ireland?
Meeting up:
- Up to six people from two households can meet in private homes (children under 12 not counted towards total) - overnight stays allowed
- Wedding receptions and post-funeral events are allowed
Leisure and entertainment
- Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can open indoors
- Maximum of six customers per table from up to six households, or up to 10 people all from the same household
- Libraries and museums allowed to reopen
- Indoor sports training allowed to resume for sports squads
- Up to 500 spectators can attend outdoor sport events
Education:
- Increased face-to-face learning for students and apprentices in higher and further education.
- Schools can play sports fixtures against each other
- All Sure Start services to resume
- Community events such as indoor mother-and-toddler groups can resume
Travel:
The next review of rules in Northern Ireland is due on 10 June .
Clarification: An earlier version of this piece said that exercise was only allowed once a day. However, while government guidance said this was what people should do, it did not make exercising more than once against the law.