COVID-19 Protection Levels Update: Scotland Entering Level 0

Scottish Government has confirmed that, from Monday 19^th July, all of Scotland will move to Level 0.

However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged everyone to follow the current safety measures in place in their area until that time, and to follow Level 0 guidance afterwards.

(Image caption: a blue banner reading “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Responses, Guidance and Resources” in white text; click the banner for the main COVID-19 page.)

As a result of the ongoing high number of cases in Scotland, face masks will remain mandatory (with medical exemptions in place).

At Level 0 (amongst other points):

• people can meet socially in groups:
  • of up to 8 people from 4 households in your home or theirs, and can stay overnight
  • of up to 10 people from 4 households in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant (please note that from 19 July, hospitality settings will be required to close at 00:00 hours)
  • of up to 15 people from 15 households outdoors
• from Monday, people will need to maintain at least one metre social distance from other households in all indoor public settings, and anyone outside their group while outside
• people should continue to work from home where possible

The First Minister said:

“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. There is no doubt that Delta has become, unfortunately, something of a game-changer – even for countries on course to achieving full vaccine protection – so COVID does remain a threat that we must treat seriously.

“The Scottish Government understands the temptation to lift more restrictions more quickly. In our view, and in line with clinical advice and modelling, a gradual approach stands the best chance of minimising further health harm and loss of life – and also because a gradual approach stands the best chance of being a sustainable approach, it will be better in the long term for the economy as well.

“We are easing restrictions next week – but we are not abandoning them. We will also keep in place for now certain other measures – such as the requirement to wear face coverings, co-operate with test and protect teams, and comply with advice on good hygiene and ventilation.

“If we do all of this, frustrating though it all continues increasingly to be, we will help protect ourselves and our loved ones. As we continue to complete the vaccination programme, which does offer us still the route back to greater normality, we will make it easier for more restrictions to be gradually and sensibly lifted in the weeks ahead.”

Shielding

Ms Sturgeon has noted the importance of following guidance – including wearing face masks and coverings – in order to protect everyone, especially those who are vulnerable and who were previously shielding.

A survey is being launched for those at highest risk from COVID-19 to gather views on what additional support might be needed as restrictions ease. The Chief Medical Officer will also write to this group with advice on what moving to Level 0 will mean for them.

Moving Beyond Level 0

Scottish Government previously updated Scotland’s Strategic Framework, which sets out how and why their COVID-19 response strategy will change in light of new conditions, and what a move beyond Level 0 will look like.

It is still expected that from Monday 9^th August, all major COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted, if caution continues to be exercised and the necessary conditions on vaccination and harm reduction continue.

Further information is available in the Scottish Government timetable.

Further Information

For further information on Level 0 restrictions, and what is and isn’t allowed, please visit the Scottish Government website.

Alternatively, for information on next week’s changes, please read Scottish Government’s news announcement.

Or for further information on COVID-19 protection levels and restrictions in Scotland, please visit the Scottish Government’s main COVID-19 page.