First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today that four people from two households can meet outside from 12th March, 12-17-year-olds can meet with four of their friends, and from 26th March communal worship will be allowed for up to 50 people, if 2m social distancing can be adhered to.
This follows the news that all primary school children will be back to school by March 15th and secondary school pupils getting some in-school teaching between now and Easter.
She said, having revealed 466 new cases, with a 3.3% positivity rate, “The prospects are encouraging but getting the timing right is essential.”
Next week the First Minister will lay out an indicative timetable with some dates, she suggested, which will lead to “part of hospitality” opening.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said, “In recent weeks, we have seen a significant fall in new cases, deaths and hospital admissions, and the vaccination programme is progressing beyond our initial expectations. All of this is excellent news, and provides strong grounds for hope, but that hope must also be balanced by caution.
“The changes announced today, while modest, are important, and are designed to help people’s health and well-being by enabling group exercise and allowing more social interaction. They will also let children see more of their friends, and exercise and play more normally.
“With continued progress, we believe the reopening of places of worship can be achieved relatively safely, and will hopefully enable more people to draw strength, comfort and inspiration from acts of collective worship.