Caithness and the rest of Scotland will move to Level 0 of the coronavirus restrictions but with certain modifications on Monday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed in light of the recent rise in cases of the Delta variant
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed that all of Scotland will move to Level 0 Covid -19 restrictions on Monday – however there would be a number of changes to what had previously been announced.
When she made her statement she reminded people that this was still a time for "continued caution" in light of recent rises in case numbers.
She said: "That means while Scotland will move to Level 0 from next Monday we will do so with certain modifications to our original indicative plans.
"This is intended to ensure that our pace of easing restrictions is sensible, in light of the challenge we continue to face from the Delta variant, and I will also confirm that certain mitigations, such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings will remain in place – not just now but in all likelihood for some time to come."
She said the continued wearing of face coverings was for the protection and assurance of the clinically vulnerable and added: "The continued success of the vaccination programme continues to give us some hope."
Ms Sturgeon said that it was felt that a "gradual approach" to lifting restrictions was the best way forward and added: "We will continue to ease restrictions – we are not slamming on the brakes – but we will do so carefully."
Other changes to Level 0 included:
• venues will have to close at midnight instead of following local licensing regulations;
• physical distancing in indoor and outdoor public places will be limited to 1m;
• a gradual return to offices is postponed until the move beyond Level 0 which would be August 9 at the earliest.
Ms Sturgeon said the move restored more freedom to us and added: "Indeed it is worth emphasizing that we are no longer in lockdown, this is nothing like it, life is much more normal than at any time since the start of this pandemic."
