Visits to other households 'being considered' as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Highlands will remain at tier one
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
There will be no changes to the level of Covid restrictions in place in the Highlands, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed to the Scottish Parliament.
It means that despite being in tier one, visits to other households are still not permitted.
However, in response to a question from Conservative MSP Edward Mountain, Ms Sturgeon said the rule could be relaxed at next week's review.
Currently, people in tier one areas are able to socialise outside or in pubs or restaurants up to a maximum of six from two separate households – though people in the Western and Northern Isles are permitted to meet in each other's houses subject to the same restriction on numbers.
Ms Sturgeon said that next week's review would be likely to be more substantial as there would be an opportunity to conduct a general countrywide assessment.
The First Minister said: "The cabinet when we discussed this earlier today has concluded that we will not propose any changes to the allocation of levels this week.
"The Level Four restrictions currently in place in 11 local authorities will be lifted a week on Friday so as we decide the levels each of these areas will go into we have an opportunity at next week's review to look at the allocation of levels more generally across the country.
"I would flag up right now that is more likely that next week's review will be more substantial than this one.
"For now I can confirm that Highland, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Moray will all remain at Level One."
Mr Mountain pointed out that households visits were allowed in the three island areas which are also in tier one and said that the Highlands and Moray "have the same level on the allocator of levels table".
"Will you consider mirroring the islands’ home visit rules to the rest of the Highlands and Moray?" he asked.
Ms Sturgeon replied: “Yes we are considering that. The advice to date has been on a precautionary basis not to make that change. However it’s one of the issues we will be considering up to and through next week’s review, and if there is any changes to that next week I will set that out to Parliament.”
