Nicola Sturgeon reveals when eating out, pubs and outdoor activities can resume

First Minister announces phases of ending lockdown.

Activities, shopping and eating out will gradually resume as Scotland enters its first phases of easing lockdown, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

In her daily briefing, the First Minister said as of May 28, certain outdoor sports, food services and socialising will be permitted.

Sunbathing, meeting others from another household and playing golf are among the activities allowed in this first phase.

Nicola Sturgeon announces phase one of lockdown restrictions

While some food outlets will be able to restart delivery services, Ms Sturgeon stressed restaurants, bars and cafes will not reopen until phase two where some outdoor drinking and eating areas will be able to resume service.

Activities permitted in phase one:

The ‘route map’ confirms as of May 28 people will be able to use public outdoor spaces for recreational purposes such as sitting or sunbathing in a public space. Scots will also be able to meet up with members of one other household outdoors in small numbers, including in gardens, but with physical distancing required.

Drive-through food outlets will be permitted as well as the re-opening of garden centres and plant nurseries with physical distancing measures in place.

Ms Sturgeon stressed associated cafes, for example in garden centres, should not reopen at this stage except for take away.

Travelling “broadly within 5 miles” for outdoor leisure and exercise including walking, jogging and golf will be permitted in the first phase.

Other “non-contact” outdoor leisure activities permitted include: hiking, canoeing, outdoor swimming and angling.

The First Minister said while Scots are allowed to meet up with more than one person, it is still essential to stay two metres apart to combat the virus spreading further.

She said “the default message during phase one remains stay at home” and reminded the nation that until May 28, going outside is only permitted for exercise or essential journeys.

Before the nation can move to phase two of lockdown restrictions the virus has to be controlled and the R number must be consistently below 1, according to Ms Sturgeon.

During this phase, further changes will be made to ease the restrictions on outdoor activities and eating out.

Activities permitted in phase two:

Meeting up with larger groups of family and friends will be permitted as well as visiting others indoors. Travelling beyond the 5 mile radius for exercise as detailed in phase one will be expanded, provided it’s still local.

Small retail units and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen with physical distancing in place and pubs, restaurants and bars will be able to resume food and drink services in open outdoor spaces.

Playgrounds and sport courts will reopen in phase two with social distancing messures in place and the country will see professional sport resume in line with the public health service.

Activities permitted in phase three:

The country will reach this phase once the virus has been suppressed, according to government officials.

By this stage, people can meet up with people from more than one household indoors and driving beyond local areas is permitted for leisure and exercise.

Larger retail outlets can reopen with social distancing measures in place and pubs, bars and restaurants can resume indoor service with restricted physical distancing measures.

One-to-one retail services including hairdressing can resume in this phase.

Museums, galleries, cinemas, and libraries can open, subject to physical distancing and hygiene measures and gyms will also be able to resume service.

Restrictions will be lifted on holiday accommodation providers and live events will be permitted with restricted numbers and social distancing measures in place.

Ms Sturgeon said the country will reach phase four when the nation is through the crisis and the virus is no longer considered a significant threat to public health.

Activities permitted in phase four:

Further relaxation on meeting up with groups will be permitted.

All types of retail outlets and places to eat and drink will be open in line with public health advice and sport and leisure services can resume fully with social distancing measures in place.

Mass gatherings will also be able to resume in line with public health advice.

The ‘route map’ comes as Scotland’s coronavirus death toll declines a third week in a row.