Scots allowed to form support bubbles with other households as lockdown eases

Scots living alone, such as grandparents and non-cohabiting couples, will be allowed to become part of 'extended household groups' from Friday.

Nicola Sturgeon announced extended household measure

It will mean they can enter the home and stay overnight with a chosen family group or a friend.

Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the measure as she confirmed that Scotland will move to phase 2 of Coronavirus lockdown exit today. The measure has already been introduced south of the border - known as `support bubbles.’

It will mean that anyone who lives on their own - or only with children under 18 - can form an ‘extended household group’ with one other household.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Within an extended household group, people will be able to meet indoors, without physical distancing and stay overnight - though only if they wish.

"But they must continue to see any other households outdoors only, and stay more than 2 metres apart from them."

But no member of such an extended household group should form a similar arrangement with any other household - and it should not include anyone who is shielding.

The First Minister also warned that if one member of an extended household group gets the virus, all of the group will have to isolate.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director