FROM today Scots will be able to get out of the house just that little bit more, with restrictions easing on sunbathing, having a barbecue, golfing and bowling among other things. The change in rules comes as the country enters Phase One of the Scottish Government’s four-phase route map out of lockdown. Here’s what it means for you:

lYour household can meet one other household, as long as you meet outdoors, maintain social distance and meet in groups no larger than eight. You don’t have to pick just one other household – you can meet with as many as you want – as long as you don’t meet more than one at a time or more than one household per day.

lYou can meet that other household in the park or you can meet in the garden. If you do meet in the garden then you can’t enter the other household’s house – not even for a pee. Although yesterday afternoon the Scottish Government did clarify that it would be OK to scoot through another households hallway to get to the garden as long as you don’t touch anything.

  • Surfaces matter! If you’re having a barbecue, each household should bring its own food, cutlery, plates or cups.
  • Some non-contact exercise and activities will be allowed from today too. The Scottish Government guidance lists angling, archery, athletics – running, jogging, croquet, cycling, equestrian sports like horse riding, golf, lawn bowls, outdoor tennis, walking and water sports. Though the guidance makes clear this is not an exhaustive list.
  • The change in rules means you can also head to the park or beach and sunbathe and top up your tan. You don’t have to sunbathe though, you can just sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
  • Rules on travelling have also been relaxed. You can now head somewhere local for recreation, though the Government cautions against travelling more than five miles.
  • Garden centres and drive-through food outlets can re-open from today.
  • Recycling centres will be allowed to open once again from Monday.
  • Most outdoor work can resume from today, while construction sites can at that point start to prepare for a resumption of work.
  • Teachers and other staff will be allowed to re-enter schools from Monday to prepare for the proposed return of schools on August 11.
  • Childminders and fully outdoor nurseries can start to re-open from Wednesday, June 3, though there will be limits on the number of children that can be cared for.
  • Also during phase one, some key public services such as respite care, children’s hearings and vital health programmes will begin to restart their work.