Coronavirus restrictions easing in Scotland RECAP: Follow along here for all of today’s updates as most of mainland Scotland moves down to Level 2 including changes to hospitality, home visits and hugs

People across Scotland prepare to take one step closer to normality today as most of the mainland moves down to Level 2 coronavirus restrictions.
Most of Scotland prepares to move down to Level 2 today.Most of Scotland prepares to move down to Level 2 today.
Most of Scotland prepares to move down to Level 2 today.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed last week that most of mainland Scotland would move down to Level 2 today, Monday, May 17, which includes rules on hospitality being relaxed further, cinemas reopening and people being allowed to meet privately indoors without having to adhere to social distancing rules - meaning you can hug your loved ones again.

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Coronavirus restrictions easing in Scotland RECAP: Follow along here for all of today’s updates as most of mainland Scotland moves down to Level 2 including changes to hospitality, home visits and hugs

Key Events

  • Alcohol can be served indoors until 10.30pm everyday in Level 2 areas as of today
  • Glasgow and Moray to remain in Level 2 for at least another week
  • Six people from three different households can meet privately indoors

Here is a full list of rules which are set to change from today

Today marks the biggest change in coronavirus restrictions in weeks as the country prepares to reopen even further, including a relaxation on physical distancing rules, the reopening of cinemas and being able to holiday with another household.

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Moray and Glasgow set to remain in Level 2 for at least another week

The move was expected in Moray, with Nicola Sturgeon warning early last week that it was unlikely the area would be joining the rest of the country in moving to Level 2.

However, a last-minute decision was taken on Friday to also hold Glasgow back amid concerns over rising case numbers.

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Foreign travel for non-essential reasons allowed across the UK from today

British holidaymakers have begun checking in for some of the first flights to green list destinations on the morning of the Government’s lifting of its foreign travel ban.

One retired couple travelling to Portugal from Gatwick Airport’s north terminal said they had “gone through all the hoops, PCR testing ...” and that after 15 months of being locked-down being able to travel again was “unbelievably good”.

ScotRail launches new timetable to support lockdown easing

The train operator is adding more than 400 extra trains to its timetable as it supports the lifting of lockdown restrictions and a return towards a more normal way of life, including dozens to and from Edinburgh.

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Professor Linda Bauld says that the lockdown restrictions easing is ‘potentially problematic’ if the Indian variant is more transmissible

Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland Prof Bauld said we don’t know precise numbers of the Indian variant in Scotland. Last week there were roughly 35 but now it is likely to be higher.

She said that the Indian variant is potentially 40 -50 per cent more transmissible than the B117 variant, adding that if this is the case it “poses more risk to people who have not had their vaccine yet”.

She continued: “It’s problematic, particularly at a time when we are opening up. Households are mixing and you can see from the latest modelling report from the Scottish government that average contacts - in other words people coming into contact with people outside of their households- of course has increased in recent weeks.”

The Capital prepares to reopen as it takes the next cautious steps in the route out of lockdown

Monday is the first day that Edinburgh and the Lothians will enter Level 2 of lockdown restrictions, where people are finally allowed to hug family and friends again.

Hospitality will allow people to drink alcohol inside and cinemas, theatres and concert halls will be throwing open their doors once more.

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Edinburgh’s biggest Covid-19 vaccination centre will vaccinate more than 30,000 a week

NHS Lothian has today launched its biggest Covid-19 vaccination centre aiming to up vaccinations from 5,000 a week to 30,000.

The first patients have begun streaming through the Lowland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre which has been turned into the Capital’s newest vaccination centre.

Vaccination teams opened the doors to the huge centre, which has 50 vaccination stations with the potential to increase to 61, this morning.

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Rules on socialising

Up to six people from three households can socialise indoors in a private home or garden without physical distancing.

The government advises people to use their best judgement around physical contact.

Six people can also meet in a hospitality venue and eight people from eight houses can meet outdoors.

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