MORE than 3.4 million people in Scotland will experience the toughest restrictions on daily life since full lockdown was lifted.
The new “short sharp” action – often referred to as a “circuit breaker” – will be introduced from 6pm tomorrow and will continue to the end of Sunday October 25.
The new mini-lockdown comes in addition to the continued nationwide ban on visiting other homes indoors and advice against sharing a car with someone from a different household.
Here are the new measures:
- Pubs and restaurants
All premises will be closed completely in the five health board areas of the central belt: Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, and Forth Valley. Hotels for residents can remain open.
Outside the central belt pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes can operate indoors from 6am to 6pm for food and non-alcoholic drinks.
READ MORE: Margaret Ferrier: SNP Rutherglen association ask MP to resign her seat
Again with the exception of the central belt licensed premises can continue to serve alcohol outdoors up to the existing curfew time of 10pm, and subject to the rule which allows no more than six people from two households to meet.
- Cafes
Cafes which don’t have an alcohol licence will be able to stay open until 6pm to support social isolation. This applies across Scotland. The measures means that people can meet in cafes so long as it is not licensed and no more than six people gather from two households.
- Weddings and funerals
Weddings can go ahead so long as they were booked before the new restrictions were announced. Funerals can go ahead with social distancing measures in place.
- Outdoor live events
In the central belt outdoor live events will not be permitted in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley for the next two weeks.
- Playing sports
Non-contact sport such as tennis, running, cycling and skiing can continue under existing restrictions.
In the central belt, snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will be closed from the 10 October.
READ MORE: MSPs vote to withhold consent from Tory Brexit power grab bill
Contact sports for people aged 18 and over will also be suspended for the next two weeks with an exception for professional sports.
- Going to the gym
Indoor group exercise activities will not be allowed – although rules will remain in place for under 18s and gyms can remain open for individual exercise.
- Holidays
People are not required to cancel half-term holiday bookings, but in general those living in the central belt are advised not to travel outside of their area. People in other health board areas should not travel to the central belt unless they need to.
- Travel
There is no national travel ban and no mandatory local travel restrictions, but people in the central belt are advised to avoid travel by public transport and journeys outside their local area.
- Schools and universities
Many schools will be closed for part of the remainder of the month for the October holidays. Apart from these scheduled breaks schools will remain open. Universities will also stay open with remote learning in place for many courses.
- Hospitals and GPs
The NHS will stay open for treatments and operations that are not related to Covid-19.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel