The Scottish Government has confirmed that from Friday a range of Covid restrictions will ease in Scotland.
This comes after nightclubs, theatres and bar service were allowed to open on Monday January 24 after limitations were put in place just before Christmas.
Offices are set to reopen as working from home guidance has been updated in a bid to get the country running back to 'as normal' as possible.
Theatres are now open, allowing people into the audience as long as they wear a mask and football stadiums can have fans in again.
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However, the First Minister did issue the update asking Scots to still be cautious as the Covid cases are still high.
However, due to the vaccination rate and the fall in cases across all age groups, the Scottish Government agreed to ease restrictions further.
Here is the guidance below.
Face masks
Face masks are still to be worn in public spaces including:
- shops
- bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs
- churches and other places of worship
- public transport, including stations and bus stops
- at work (including tradespeople working in people’s homes)
Anyone under 12 years of age or have an illness, disability or if it would cause someone 'wearing one would cause you severe distress' are exempt.
If you are eating or drinking you do not have to wear one.
Schools
Sturgeon confirmed that face masks will continue to be worn in schools and secondary school pupils are advised to take a lateral flow test twice week.
According to the Scottish Government, anyone who tests positive should isolate immediately.
Face masks must be worn in classrooms and when walking around the school.
At her announcement on January 25, Sturgeon said: “I know young people want to see the back of them as soon as possible. But I also know that many young people understand and agree - especially when cases in the younger age group are rising - that face coverings do provide important protection.
“So this is a matter that requires and will receive careful consideration.”
In terms of isolation, if a pupil tests positive, the whole class no longer has to isolate.
Close contacts who are aged under 18 and four months will not have to isolate but will have to take daily LFT and record them online on Gov.uk. If it tests positive, that person must isolate immediately.
Adults who have had three Covid vaccinations (including the booster jab) also can follow the rule above.
Those who aren't vaccinated, or had the booster, must isolate and take a PCR test if they are a contact.
Children's activities
Currently, adults attending organised events for children need to wear a face mask.
From Friday, Sturgeon confirmed that the requirement for any adult taking part in organised activities when they are directly interacting with children under the age of 5 to wear a face covering will be dropped.
Hospitality
Pubs and restaurants can now run without implementing social distancing measures between groups.
Protection screens can also be removed and bar service can resume. This will allow restaurants to run as close to normal.
Face masks must still be worn inside when moving about, but not at the table.
Customer's details must also be given for track and trace.
Nightclubs and late night venues
Night clubs reopened on Monday January 24. Late night venues have been closed for the longest time in the pandemic but since the restrictions on indoor gatherings have lifted, they can resume.
However, for entry, customers need to show either proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative lateral flow test.
If it has been four month since your second Covid vaccine, then you will need a booster jab to be qualified as 'fully vaccinated' on the certificate and be allowed entry.
Self Isolation
Self isolation rules have eased to an extent.
Those who have had two Covid vaccines and the booster jab do not need to self isolate if they are a close contact but they have to take a lateral flow test for seven days and record it to gov.uk.
If they do test positive, they have to isolate immediately.
Additionally, anyone, regardless of vaccination status who tests positive must isolate but can end it on day eight, if they test negative on day six and day seven.
Any close contact who is not fully vaccinated (three doses) will still have to self-isolate for the 10 days and take a PCR test.
Social distance measures will be shorter
Along with other changes to rules, Sturgeon added that requirement for two metre physical distance for indoor settings where people have an exemption to wear a face mask will be reduced to just one metre.
These exemptions apply to people such as those leading religious services or carrying out some receptionist duties.
Working from home
From Monday January 31, offices can re-open.
Up until now, home working has been advised for the majority of the last two years and the Scottish Government has changed their advice to allow a hybrid system.
Tests for travel
Those who have had two doses of the Covid vaccine no longer need to take a lateral flow test when arriving to Scotland.
This is the next step in making travel easier for some people.
Already the UK Government have scrapped pre-departure tests and PCR tests for those who had two doses.
However, those who are not vaccinated, or partially vaccinated still need to isolate for 10 days and take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
Vaccine passports
For domestic use, the vaccine passport now includes the booster jab.
This is because to be considered as 'fully vaccinated' for entry into a range of venues-you must have the booster jab if it has been over four months since the second vaccine.
The vaccine scheme is used for;
- Nightclubs and adult entertainment venues
- Unseated indoor live events with more than 500 people in the audience
- Unseated outdoor live events for more than 4,000 people
- Any event, of any nature, attended by more than 10,000 people
