Arts and business chiefs in Perth and Kinross have spoken of their relief at the latest easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
It comes, inversely, as the region recorded its highest number of deaths in a week related to coronavirus since last February.
On Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed rules on table service and social-distancing measures will no longer be required in hospitality venues from next Monday, January 24.
Non-professional indoor contact sports will also be allowed to resume from this date.
Nightclubs and large indoor events will also be able to restart normal programming next week.
Chief executive of Horsecross Arts Nick Williams welcomed the news, while acknowledging the lack of Christmas trade has been “hugely detrimental” to his arts organisation’s income.
Mr Williams, who heads the creative organisation and charity behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, said he cannot wait to celebrate reopening next week.
“We’re pleased and relieved that the Scottish Government has confirmed the lifting of the latest restrictions on indoor events from Monday, January 24,” he told the PA.
“This means that our busy programme of music, theatre, community activities and more can restart and our venues will, once again, be full of people enjoying the arts in Perth.
“We’ll be hitting the ground running in Perth Concert Hall on Tuesday 25, with a lunchtime concert by renowned-international pianist Llyr Williams and we can’t wait to celebrate our reopening with our loyal audiences.
“As ever, we are grateful to our audiences for their ongoing support, and we’d like to thank those who chose to donate their ticket value to us during this recent period of uncertainty.”
Mr Williams pointed to mitigation COVID measures that will be in place – including face coverings and hand sanitisation stations – aimed at restoring confidence.
Perthshire Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite added: “It is encouraging that there has been a significant fall in case numbers and the resultant easing of the restrictions from Monday.
“At last, there seems to be something positive for the hospitality and events industries in particular, and they can now start to plan ahead after a disastrous and punitive festive period.
“It is positive too that businesses will be invited by the government to the table, with the prospect of hopefully opening up more town and city centre offices and a greater number of people going back to work there rather than at home, but this needs to be done with utmost haste and not, as suggested, next month.
“With the possibility of a vaccine passport not being discounted for the hospitality industry, businesses are being forced to factor its associated costs into their financial forecasts, while no suggestion of financial support has been forthcoming.
“We would reiterate that businesses must be adequately compensated for any measures being forced on them, and we would urge – in the interests of safeguarding jobs and businesses – that this would happen immediately.”
Despite the positive move, 10 Perth and Kinross residents sadly died from causes link to coronavirus last week – the highest weekly figure since February 2021.
The National Records of Scotland office confirmed the residents passed away during the week beginning January 10.
A total of 324 individuals in the region have now died from effects relating to the virus since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
A total of 214 prisoners are also currently isolating after another COVID outbreak at HMP Perth.
Eleven people have tested positive at the jail, a rise from just four on Tuesday.
