First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed July 15th as the date when all of Scotland’s indoor pubs and the tourism sector as a whole can open as the country enters phase 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown exit route map.
Outdoor and indoor hospitality venues will be granted an exemption from the 2 metre rule if “mitigating measures” are implemented, with pubs and restaurants being subject to strict public health measures including guidance on physical distancing and taking customer contact details.
Exemptions to the 2m (6ft 6in) physical distancing rule will also be introduced from 10 July with “one-metre zones” being introduced for social distancing on public transport and in the retail sector, although the use of face coverings in shops will be mandatory.
Galleries, cinemas and museums will also open on July 15th, with Sturgeon giving the green light to beauticians and nail salons reopening on July 22nd.
Couples who do not live together will no longer have to physically distance from Friday 10th July onwards.
The first minister said it was still “essential that we all take the utmost care and strictly follow all public health advice”, warning that “we mess with [coronavirus] at our peril”.