Scotland tiers: which areas are in level 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Scotland’s Covid lockdown system - and rules explained

Three council areas have been moved from level 2 to level 3 restrictions

The First Minister has updated the level of coronavirus restrictions to be applied to every region in Scotland under the government’s multi-level lockdown system.

Speaking on December 15 Ms Sturgeon confirmed that three councils would be upgraded to level 3 restrictions.

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian have all been moved to the second strictest level of restrictions.

Scottish regions have each been assigned a set of coronavirus restrictions (Getty Images)

Ms Sturgeon said: “I know that the move to Level 3 for East Lothian, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire – and the continuation of it in many other areas – involves real and continued difficulties for many businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.

“However these measures are in our view essential to get and keep the virus under control.

“It is also worth pointing out that we are not alone in Scotland in facing these challenges just now.

“In large parts of England, hospitality is closed completely. And the whole of Wales is now under restrictions similar to our Level 3.”

How were the restrictions decided?

Authorities looked at five pieces of criteria when deciding the status of each region.

- the number of positive cases per hundred thousand people over the last week

- the percentage of positive tests

- forecast for new cases in the weeks ahead

- the capacity of local hospitals

- the capacity of intensive care facilities

Level 0 restrictions

No region was placed under 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.

- 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

Just five regions have been placed under level 1 restrictions.

These are: Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway.

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

Falkirk, Inverclyde, Angus, and Argyll & Bute, have all been placed under 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

East Lothian, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling, West Lothian, Midlothian, The City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, North Ayrshire, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross have all been placed under 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 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.

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

Level 4 restrictions

There are currently no areas under 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.