Scotland lockdown update: which areas will move to tier 3 after Nicola Sturgeon’s review - and travel rules explained

Some parts of Scotland will have tougher restrictions enforced - but no area is moving to tier 4 yet
Some areas in Scotland will move into harsher restrictions from Friday (Shutterstock)Some areas in Scotland will move into harsher restrictions from Friday (Shutterstock)
Some areas in Scotland will move into harsher restrictions from Friday (Shutterstock)

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the areas in Scotland which will move into a tougher level of restrictions under the new tiered local lockdown system.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister announced that no areas in the country will move into Level 4 - the harshest level of restrictions - but there will be some areas which move into Level 3 on Friday.

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No region will move into Level 0 - the lowest level of restrictions - either.

It is the first weekly review of the rules, which came into effect on 2 November.

It comes as the First Minister announced a further 832 positive coronavirus cases in Scotland.

There have been more than 300 deaths in the country in the last two weeks, which Ms Sturgeon said was a “sharp reminder of the heartbreak this virus causes and why we must do all we can to tackle it”.

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She added that the current restrictions were necessary to curb the daily figure of new cases, which could have risen to 3,000 a day if the rules hadn’t been brought in.

Are the tiered restrictions working?

Ms Sturgeon said there was “no doubt” that the restrictions had “dramatically” slowed the spread of the virus.

However, she added that there hasn’t yet been a sustained fall in cases which the government is looking for before easing any levels.

The First Minister said: “We will be monitoring the situation carefully in the days ahead and cannot rule out the need to take action beyond what I set out today.”

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Here are all the areas in Scotland which will see changes come into place on Friday 13 November.

Level 0

No region has been moved into the most lenient level 0 restrictions.

Level 0 restrictions include the following measures:

- Maximum of eight people from three households to meet indoors and 15 people from five households to meet outside.

- Restrictions on the tourism sector will be lifted and shops, hair and beauty businesses – except those who work in a mobile capacity – and public buildings will be opened.

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- Hospitality will also return to being open, both indoors and outdoors, at normal licensing times, but socialising rules will apply.

- Stadiums will be able to open with restricted numbers and outdoor public events and seated indoor events will also be allowed to go forward.

Level 1

Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will remain at Level 1, and Nicola Sturgeon announced a small easing of socialising restrictions for the three island authorities.

From Friday, residents in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will be able to meet with one other household inside, up to a maximum of six people.

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The First Minister said although cases in the Level 1 areas remain low, there has been some “volatility” in recent days.

Level 1 restrictions include the following measures:

- Socialising is restricted to six people from two households inside and outside, with a further curb on events meaning only a small number of people will be seated indoors, with restricted numbers outside.

- The number of people able to attend weddings or funerals and their associated events will also drop to 20.

- Unlike Level 0, where no restrictions will be in place, amateur indoor sports among those over the age of 18 will not be allowed.

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- Hospitality businesses will be forced to close by 10.30pm, both inside and outside, with the last entry permitted at 9.30pm.

Level 2

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll & Bute will remain in Level 2.

Ms Sturgeon said she hoped some or all of these areas will move to Level 1 soon.

Level 2 restrictions include the following measures:

- Measures will remain largely the same as in Level 1, however in-home socialising will be prohibited, barring some exceptions including caring for a vulnerable person.

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- Outdoor groups in public places will be limited to six people from two households.

-Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls will be the only leisure facilities allowed to remain open, with soft play, funfairs, indoor bowling, casinos, theatres, snooker or pool halls, music venues, nightclubs and adult entertainment venues all shuttered.

- Only drive-in events will be permitted, with indoor, outdoor and stadium events cancelled.

- Public buildings will impose protective measures while NHS services will reduce face-to-face contact with patients.

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- Indoor hospitality venues will also close from 8pm, with last entry at 7pm and outdoor businesses will shut at 10.30pm.

Level 3

Fife, Perth and Kinross and Angus, areas currently in Level 2, will move into Level 3 restrictions from Friday, the First Minister confirmed.

She said: “All three of these areas are on a sharply rising trajectory.

“The most recent data shows that, in the space of a week, the seven day number of cases per 100,000 of the population has increased in Perth & Kinross by 32%, in Fife by 40%, and in Angus by 47%.

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"The advice of the Chief Medical Officer and National Clinical Director is that Level 2 restrictions may not be sufficient to slow down and reverse increases of this magnitude and, as a result, an early move to level 3 was strongly recommended."

Dundee will also remain in Level 3 because of its proximity to these places, although cases are declining in the city.

The other 18 authorities currently in Level 3 will remain there for now, but Ms Sturgeon said a move to Level 4 in future cannot be ruled out.

These are:

Inverclyde, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, North and South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow; South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire; Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire; The City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and East Lothian and North and South Lanarkshire.

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Nicola Sturgeon said she was “particularly concerned” about Inverclyde and Stirling, South Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire and the situation in these places will be monitored.

She added the current restrictions have worked effectively to stabilise cases in Glasgow and North and South Lanarkshire in particular, and also West Lothian and West Dunbartonshire.

Ms Sturgeon said: “That stabilisation is positive news - without the sacrifices everyone has been making, the situation would be much more severe."

"However, while cases have stabilised in these areas, they have stabilised at a stubbornly high level.

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“I have set out previously the risks of going further into winter with a high level of cases, even if it has plateaued."

Level 3 restrictions include the following measures:

- Socialising rules will remain the same as in Level 2, with guidance issued for only essential hotel use.

- Drive-in events will no longer be permitted and cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will also be shuttered.

- Indoor exercise will be limited to individual workouts, with outdoor exercise only allowed for those under the age of 18, except professional sports.

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- Hospitality businesses will also be prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6pm with last entry at 5pm.

Level 4

No region has been placed under the strictest set of restrictions for now.

Nicola Sturgeon said given the “severity” of the restrictions, the government will not move any area into that level lightly.

However, she added: “But nor will we shy away from it, if we think it's necessary to limit the damage the virus can do."

Level 4 restrictions include the following measures:

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- Travel restrictions and a requirement to stay at home being possible if cases get too high.

- While socialising will stay the same as Level 3, non-essential retail will be closed and the limit for weddings will drop to 20 people, along with the number allowed in places of worship.

- Formal childcare will be subjected to “targeted intervention” while informal childcare will only be allowed for the children of key workers.

- Gyms will again be closed and outdoor sports will be limited to non-contact only while professional sports will continue.

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- Essential work, outdoor work or those who have a job in construction and manufacturing will be the only sectors allowed to continue, with everyone else recommended to work from home.

- All hospitality will be closed.

Travel restrictions

The First Minister also gave an update on travel restrictions.

She said those who live in a Level 3 area should not travel outside of it, unless for essential reasons like work, healthcare or caring responsibilities.

Those who don’t live in a Level 3 area should not travel into one, except for those same purposes.

The travel restrictions remain as guidance for now, but Nicola Sturgeon said the government “won’t hesitate” to put them into law if necessary.