Sturgeon reveals relaxation of Covid rules in April

EDINBURGH: The coronavirus stay-at-home order will be lifted in Scotland on April 2, with travel restrictions removed entirely from April 26, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister announced that hairdressers and some additional non-essential shops such as garden centres can open from April 5. From April 26, current rules banning people from leaving their council areas will be removed, with plans to allow journeys to other parts of the UK on the same date.

Non-essential shops, libraries, museums, galleries and gyms will also reopen from April 26, and six people from up to three households will be able to meet outdoors. Beer gardens will also be able to open from that date, the First Minister said.

“Cafés, restaurants and bars will be able to serve people outdoors — in groups of up to 6 from 3 households — until 10pm,” she said. “Alcohol will be permitted, and there will be no requirement for food to be served.”

There will also be indoor opening of hospitality from April 26, limited initially to food and non-alcoholic drinks until 8pm. From May 17, Ms Sturgeon said she expect that “people will be able to meet up inside each other’s homes again — initially in groups of up to four people from no more than two households”.

She added from early June her hope is that all of Scotland will move to Level 1 of coronavirus restrictions — the second lowest of five tiers. By the end of June, she said all of Scotland will move to Level 0.