New Scottish Lockdown from Midnight

Nicola Sturgeon has announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the rise in Covid-19 cases. The new lockdown will be similar to March with the “fundamental advice for everyone to stay at home” and will be enforced as a law from midnight.

Schools in Scotland will also now remain closed to most pupils until February at the earliest to help contain the spread of coronavirus.

Under the new rules, people are being told to stay at home, with exceptions for exercise, essential journeys and work purposes if you cannot work from home.

Outdoor gatherings are to be cut back, with people only allowed to meet one person from one other household.

Everyone who can work from home will be required to, and people in the “shielding” category are advised not to go in to work at all.

Places of worship are to be closed, group exercise banned, and schools will largely operate via online and remote learning.

These rules will apply across the Scottish mainland until at least the end of January, and will be kept under review.

For more information visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/

Covid Christmas Restrictions in Scotland

The planned easing of covid restrictions around Christmas will be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous 5 day window that was planned.

Legal household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – however advice is to minimise the numbers.

Where possible, people should celebrate the festive period at home in their own household and meet with others outdoors.

Other than for specific exemptions, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal.

Travel within Scotland will be allowed on Christmas Day.

From Boxing Day, all of mainland Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality.

From Boxing Day, in line with existing law, travel across local authority boundaries between areas in Level 3 or 4 will not be legal other than for specific exempt purposes.

More information can be found at https://www.gov.scot/news/new-guidance-issued-for-the-festive-period/