A NUMBER of changes to the lockdown rules will come into effect over the coming days.
Nicola Sturgeon announced changes to the rules for children, on face coverings in shops and on the two metre distance rule.
She said the rules are becoming more complicated, with different rules for different ages and in different settings.
However, she said it is only by sticking to them that we can continue to see the number of cases decrease and save lives.
Some changes are from now, or on Monday, and some when phase three begins from the end of next week.
READ MORE: Opening dates revealed for many city museums and gyms
From today, children under 11 can play outdoors with children from up to two other households without social distancing in groups of up to eight.
Those aged 12–17 to can meet in groups of up to eight outdoors and no more than two other households at a time but there will be no limit placed on the total number of households children can meet in one day.
It means siblings can meet separate groups or friends, or to meet groups in addition to those their parents or carers may take part in.
They still have to keep the two-meter distance rules.
From Monday, outdoor hospitality can open with distancing.
From next Friday, there will be some exemptions to the two metres rule for some in hospitality and others like hairdressers
READ MORE: Row continues between Coia's owner and redundant staff over 'missing' wages
But if a business decides to operate within a 1m distance, measures will need to be brought in.
This will include the likes of clear signs and perspex screens in the premises.
Colin Wilkinson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association managing director, said: “Without this reduction it is estimated that two-thirds of our pubs and bars would not have been able to open and operate viably, leading to a large number of business closures and mass job losses.”
And from next Friday it will be mandatory to wear a face-covering in shops as well as on public transport.
The First Minister said: “As we move further out of lockdown, some rules will become more targeted.
“However, the basic foundation principles and hygiene measures remain as important as ever – each and every one of us must strike the right balance in order to keep the momentum of lifting lockdown going while protecting the progress made.
“What we are witnessing across the country is a sharp reminder just how highly infectious Covid-19 is, and how vital it is that we proceed with care and caution.”
The latest figures showed one more death taking the total to 2487.
There were 785 people in hospital and there were nine people in intensive care a decrease of eight.
Five more positive cases were recorded taking the total to 18,264.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here