Scotland tier system: rules for levels 0,1, 2, 3 and 4 explained - and when levels system will be introduced again

“If all goes according to plan" Scotland will return to tiered restrictions in late-April (Getty Images)

Scotland’s roadmap out of lockdown was unveiled on February 23, with reopening dates for schools and non-essential businesses revealed to the public.

Among the headline decisions was the first minister’s confirmation that Scotland would return to a tiered system of restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament “if all goes according to plan”, the country will move back to the levels system of coronavirus restrictions from late April, with all council areas moving to Level 3.

This will allow a “phased but significant reopening of the economy, including non-essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and hairdressers”, the First Minister said.

When will Scotland return to tiered system?

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that if the rate of infection continued to fall Scotland would return to tiered restrictions on April 26.

Unveiling the revised road map out of lockdown in February, Sturgeon told MSPs lockdown would ease in phases, separated by at least three weeks and contingent on suppression of the virus continuing.

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.

- 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 restrictions

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.

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

Level 2 restrictions

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.

- 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.

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

Level 3 restrictions

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 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.

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

Level 4 restrictions

Level 4 restrictions include the following measures:

- 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.

- 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.