Nicola Sturgeon lockdown statement RECAP: First Minister sets out dates for reopening of retail and hospitality in Scotland

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Nicola Sturgeon gives her statements on the new routemap out of lockdown.Nicola Sturgeon gives her statements on the new routemap out of lockdown.
Nicola Sturgeon gives her statements on the new routemap out of lockdown.

Nicola Sturgeon routemap out of lockdown statement RECAP

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This is when pubs and restaurants could reopen

Sturgeon announces 'Stay At Home' will end on April 2

FM warns against complacency

Nicola Sturgeon warned against complacency as she announced the easing of restrictions in the coming weeks in Scotland.

The First Minister said that while she hopes to be able to lift the stay-at-home order and open retail and hospitality at different points next month, work was still required to ensure cases did not rise.

She said: “This is certainly the most hopeful I have felt about the situation for a long time.

“However, as you would expect, I do need to add a note of caution.

“I know this is the bit none of us want to hear, but the route back to normality does depend on continued suppression.”

The First Minister added: “We must continue to suppress it to the lowest level possible.”

‘Stay Local’ to replace ‘Stay at Home’ rule

The First Minister told MSPs that when the “Stay at Home” rule is lifted on April 2, it will be replaced with an order for Scots to “Stay Local”.

The change means that, while people will be allowed to leave their homes for non-essentials reasons, they will not be allowed to travel outside their local authority areas unless for an essential purpose.

Ms Sturgeon said the new rule would last for around three weeks, and help prevent the spread of coronavirus from one region of Scotland to another.

Scotland to move from Level 3 to Level 2 in May

Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs that she expected “as many regions as possible” to move from Level 3 to Level 2 on May 17 - three weeks after the country will be moved down from Level 4.

She said: “We would hope, from that date, to allow indoor hospitality to return to greater normality, with alcohol able to be served indoors and within more normal opening hours, though possibly with some continued restrictions - a requirement for people to book in two hour slots, for example.”

May 17 will also see the return of adult outdoor contact sports and indoor group exercises, as well as the reopening of cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls.

Ms Sturgeon said she also expects restrictions on outdoor social gatherings to be eased further.

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Shielders to return to work on April 26

From 26 April, people on the shielding list can return to work; children and young people on the shielding list can return to school or nursery; and students on the shielding list can return to college or university.

Nicola Sturgeon

The Chief Medical Officer will write this week to everyone on the shielding list to provide more detailed advice.

Live indoor and outdoor events from May

Hospitality to reopen from April 26

From that date, cafés, restaurants and bars will be able to serve people outdoors – in groups of up to six from three households - until 10pm. Alcohol will be permitted, and there will be no requirement for food to be served.

Dependent on continued suppression of the virus, Ms Sturgeon suggested there could be limited indoor opening of hospitality from 26 April too.

This will be limited initially to the service of food and non-alcoholic drinks until 8pm, and for groups of up to four people from no more than two households.

As was the case last year, venues will need to retain customers’ contact details for three weeks after their visit.

Limits for weddings and funerals to be raised

On April 26 the limit on attendance at weddings, funerals and associated receptions will be raised to 50 people from 26 April.

From 26 April, the restrictions on outdoor socialising will be eased further too.

From that date, six people from up to three households will be able to meet outdoors - and with no mainland travel restrictions in place.

Ms Sturgeon added that, at the moment, she is unable to say whether indoor visits will be allowed to go ahead.

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