Nicola Sturgeon announces lockdown in Scotland to be eased

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was "limited room for manoeuvre" with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

At this stage, Covid-19 is not yet contained in Scotland, with Ms Sturgeon pointing out that the hard-won progress to date is “fragile," with “limited room for manoeuvre.” But cases of the virus are falling, allowing an easing of the restrictions millions of people have lived under since the evening of 23 March, in tandem with the rollout of a new ‘test and protect’ system.

In the 65 days since the lockdown came into force, people have adapted to a strange new way of life. As of tomorrow, they are being asked to make further changes, that may be harder than they first appear - meeting up with loved ones, for example, but suppressing the instinct to hug them.

It is, then, a call for people to use their judgement, as much as it is a set of rules. So what do the easing of the lockdown restrictions mean for you?

Q CAN I SEE MY LOVED ONES AS OF FRIDAY?

A For families who have been separated for more than two months, the most significant and welcome change brought about by the new lockdown phase will be the ability to meet up with one other household, allowing loved ones to see one another and talk face to face

There are, however, caveats. People will only be able to meet up in small numbers outdoors, either in private gardens, or public spaces such as parks, with the strict proviso that social distancing of two metres and hand hygiene measures are maintained.

Ms Sturgeon also said people should avoid touching the same hard surfaces as members of another household. For example, if two groups are meeting for a picnic, each group should bring their own food, cutlery, plates and cups.

Q HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN MEET UP IN TOTAL?

A The maximum number between the two households should not exceed eight, Ms Sturgeon has said, advising people to “keep it to less than that” if possible.

Q WHAT IF I’M VISITING FAMILY AND NEED TO VISIT THE BATHROOM?

A There is ambiguity in the revised lockdown measured surrounding this. Ms Sturgeon advised that if the distance travelled to meet a loved one means that you have to use their bathroom, then “perhaps you shouldn’t be doing it.”

Q SO I CAN’T INVITE FAMILY INSIDE MY HOME?

A No. Meeting with people from another household indoors will only be allowed in the second phase of the lockdown easing, with the exception of providing support to vulnerable individuals. Ms Sturgeon said that allowing other people inside your home to touch household items and surfaces created a “bridge” for the virus to spread.

Q CAN I MEET WITH DIFFERENT FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS?

A The new measures allow for one household to meet with different households, but not at the one time. Ms Sturgeon said although there would be no legal restrictions surrounding this, it was the government’s “strong advice” that people should not meet with more than one household in any given day,

Q CAN COUPLES WHO LIVE APART FROM ANOTHER GET TOGETHER NOW?

A The new measures cover couples, meaning that physical distancing must be maintained, but Ms Sturgeon accepted this lack of intimacy was “particularly difficult,” for couples, and said the government was looking to provide further guidance on the issue “in the not too distant future.”

Q WHAT ABOUT THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S ‘STAY AT HOME’ MESSAGE?

A It remains very much in place, according to Ms Sturgeon, who emphasised that the new easing represented “exceptions” to the existing advice. “Right now, that is the fundamental foundation message,” she explained “I am still asking you to stay at home as much as possible.”

Q CAN I VISIT LOVED ONES IN CARE HOMES?

A The government’s roadmap said that as part of the first phase, it would consider the introduction of designated visitors to care homes, but Ms Sturgeon did not address this issue during today’s briefing.

However, Donald Macaskill, the CEO of Scottish Care, tweeted after Ms Sturgeon’s briefing that guidance is being drawn up to enable visiting to care homes to recommence “when it is safe to do so.” He added this process was underway with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, and that it was matter receiving “urgent focus.”

It is not until the second phase that a wider, phased resumption of care homes will begin, according to the government’s roadmap.

Q WHAT IF I’M SHIELDING?

A Ms Sturgeon acknowledged those forced to stay at home since the beginning of the lockdown had endured a heavier burden than most, and acknowledged it would be “particularly hard” for them to hear of the easing of restrictions. However, she reassured them that further guidance and information would be provided in the coming weeks.

“We will be trying, as far as possible, as far as safe, to move to less of a blanket approach, to one which more reflects your individual circumstances,” Ms Sturgeon said, telling those affected that they have “not been forgotten.”

Q CAN I TRAVEL FURTHER AFIELD NOW?

A The publication of the government’s roadmap earlier in May appeared to impose a five-mile limit on travel, but FIrst Minister Nicola Sturgeon later indicated it was not so much a “strict limit” as a guide.

It will not be enforced if people are travelling further than five miles to visit family elsewhere in the country, for example, but the spirit of rules asks people to use their judgement when travelling for other purposes, such as exercise or leisure.

“We are asking you for now to stay close to, or within your local area, and don’t use public transport unless it is absolutely necessary,” Ms Sturgeon explained. “We’re not setting a fixed distance limit in law, but our strong advice is not to travel further than round five miles for leisure or recreation.”

Ms Sturgeon also asked people to stay away from tourist hotspots likely to attract crowds of people.

Q CAN I PLAY ANY SPORTS AND EXERCISE HOW I WANT?

A In addition to the travel restrictions for leisure and exercise, a raft of recreational activities - the vast majority of which take place indoors - remain off limits.

The good news, however, is that unrestricted outdoor exercise will be allowed if it is non-contact and social distancing can be maintained. For example, activities such as golf, outdoor swimming, hiking, canoeing, outdoor tennis, lawn bowls watersports, and angling will all be permitted as of Friday.

Unmanned, open facilities such as outdoor skate parks or cycle pump tracks can also be used, with strict physical distancing in place.

The government stressed that this is not an exhaustive list, and nor does it mean that taking part in one of the activities listed will always be safe.

One on one personal training or coaching is permitted if it is outdoors, physical distancing can be maintained, and is with members of your household and members of one other household. A coach or personal trainer should not deliver training to more than one household at any one time or provide training to more than one household per day.

Even if you’re not inclined to exercise, you will still be able to sunbathe, as long as social distancing is respected.

Q DO I NEED TO RETURN TO MY WORKPLACE?

A Remote working remains the default position for those that can do so, a situation that is likely to remain the case going forward. Where workplaces do take the decision to reopen, employers are being asked to consider measures such as flexible working and staggered start times.

If you cannot work from home then you can still travel to work, provided you are not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither you nor any of your household are self-isolating.

Outdoor workplaces and the construction sector will reopen with distancing measures in place,

Q WHAT ABOUT CHILDCARE?

A The move to phase one means childminding services can resume from next Wednesday, with outdoor nurseries also able to reopen. However, there will be limits to the reopenings, with guidance for childminders set to be issued on Monday.

School staff will gradually return to work, with an increased number of children, including vulnerable children and those of key workers, able to access childcare provisions again as of next Wednesday.

Schools will, however, remain closed to pupils, until the reopening of a new blended learning model begins in August

Q CAN I VISIT RESTAURANTS AND CAFES FOR A SIT-IN MEAL?

A Not yet. The government’s roadmap stipulates that the likes of pubs and restaurants will only be allowed to open outdoor spaces – with physical distancing and increased hygiene routines in place - in the second phase of lockdown easing.

The first phase, however, does allow for a gradual reopening of drive-thru fast food outlets and takeaways.

Q CAN I VISIT GARDEN CENTRES?

A Yes, garden centres will be able to reopen as of Friday, with physical distancing measures in place. However, cafes in such centres will only be allowed to offer takeaway services.

Q CAN I VISIT THE LOCAL TIP?

A Recycling centres will begin reopening as of 1 June, but it is best to check with your local authority which facilities will be available.

Q HAS THE GUIDANCE AROUND WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS CHANGED?

A Events such as weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies that are due to take place in public places, including in places of worship, are still restricted.

This excludes funerals, which can be attended by close family or other members of the person’s household. If no family member or member of the same household is able to attend, a friend living in a separate household can attend.

Q WHAT OTHER CHANGES ARE THERE?

A There will be access to respite care to support unpaid carers and for families with a disabled member, all of which will be subject to social distancing and appropriate hygiene measures.

Numerous NHS services will also restart, including fertility treatment and community services, while face-to-face children’s hearings will resume

Q WHAT ELSE CAN’T I DO?

A At this stage of the lockdown exit strategy, the vast majority of restrictions introduced in March remain in place. Schools, pub, cinemas, hairdressers, libraries, and non-essential shops will all remain closed, for example, with outdoor markets, playgrounds, and sports courts also off limits,

Q WHEN WILL WE KNOW IF THE EASED LOCKDOWN MEASURES ARE WORKING?

A The provisions of the first phase will be subject to regular review, with a detailed look at the measures and how they are working planned for 18 June.

The government has said that a number of changes to the rules may be made throughout phase one, potentially over more than one complete review cycle.

Ms Sturgeon conceded that in announcing the first phase easing, she was “a bit nervous” and worried that the limited changes announced might lead to “a greater change in reality.”

She stressed: “I really need help to ensure that is not the case. I’m sure there is going to be a lot of emotional reunions this weekend. We’ve all waited a long time for this, and I hope you enjoy it, but please respect the parameters that have been put in place.”

Q COULD STRICTER RULES BE PUT IN PLACE?A Almost certainly, if the government takes the view that the risk of the virus spreading is increasing. Ms Sturgeon repeatedly pointed to the need for people to exercise “good judgement” in the new phase, but issued a warning of what would happen if they failed to do so.

“I’m not expecting or anticipating this, but if we find that people are not following the guidance and exercising that good judgement, and the risk of the virus spreading is growing, then we will have no alternative but to start to put some of this into regulations and law,” she explained.

Q WHEN WILL THE LOCKDOWN BE EASED FURTHER?

A There is no timescale for when the next element of the lockdown easing - known as phase two - will come into force. The criteria set out in the government’s roadmap stipulates that the R number will have to have been consistently below 1, with the number of infectious cases showing sustained decline.

But it is not only the government’s own criteria which must be met - a half dozen goals laid out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) must also be met, a process which will depend, in part, on co-operation between the administrations at Edinburgh and Westminster, not least when it comes to managing the risk of exporting and importing cases from communities with high-risks of transmission.

Achieving that depends largely on the successful implementation of a two-week quarantine period for anyone arriving in the UK .That will be enforced by the UK government from 8 June onwards, but some ministers in Scotland have already expressed misgivings at the degree of input from authorities in Scotland.

Reaching the second phase of lockdown easing is also dependent on evidence that Covid-19 transmission is controlled, with sufficient public health and health system capacities are in place to identify, isolate, test and treat all cases, and to trace and quarantine contacts.

Authorities must also demonstrate that outbreak risks are minimised in high vulnerability settings, such as cafre homes, with preventative measures established in workplaces, such as physical distancing, handwashing facilities, and potentially, thermal monitoring.

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Nicola Sturgeon announces lockdown in Scotland to be eased - what are the next steps?

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