Coronavirus in Scotland: Edinburgh and Lothians will stay in level three lockdown

Edinburgh and the Lothians will remain in level three lockdown restrictions, following the First Minister’s review of restrictions at Parliament today.
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In her statement, Ms Sturgeon said that Fife, Perth and Kinross and Angus will be the only local authorities to move up to level three, adding: "I can confirm that the other 18 local authorities currently at level 3 will remain there for now.

"However, it is important to note, that there is a varied picture across the level 3 areas and a move to level 4 for some in the near future cannot be ruled out.”

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Ms Sturgeon noted that there is ‘some volatility' in recent data for East Lothian, Midlothian and the City of Edinburgh.

Members of the public are seen in Edinburgh ahead of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's review of local restriction levels.Members of the public are seen in Edinburgh ahead of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's review of local restriction levels.
Members of the public are seen in Edinburgh ahead of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's review of local restriction levels.

She said: "Obviously, we will monitor all of these areas carefully - but we hope that, if people continue to abide by all the restrictions, we will continue to see improvement and some of them may be able to move out of level 3.”

The news comes despite suggestions last week that Edinburgh and the Lothians might go down to level two.

Edinburgh and the Lothians will still face the same restrictions as most of the central belt despite fewer positive cases recorded.

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At level three, it is advised that you do not travel out of your local authority area for non-essential purposes and people living outside level three should not travel into a level three area for non-essential reasons.

Cafes, pubs and restaurants are only allowed to open until 6pm to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks to groups of up to six from two different households. Alcohol sales are not permitted indoors or outdoors and all leisure and entertainment facilities are closed at this level, including cinemas.

If level two had come into force in the east, licensed premises would have been able to serve alcohol indoors with a main meal until 8pm and outdoors, alcohol would have been served until 10.30pm.

Most leisure premises would remain closed and in-home socialising would still be banned.

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