Scots can meet up with two other households at once and shops are set to reopen as lockdown is eased

Scots will be able to meet up with people from two other households at once, as Scotland enters phase two of its exit out of the coronavirus lockdown.

The First Minister announced that, from Friday, these households can meet up in groups of up to eight and can also use toilets inside, in a bid to make family gatherings easier.

In other notable changes, people who have been patiently shielding will be able to meet up with another household outside from Friday and street-access shops and zoos will be able to reopen from the 29th June.

However, beer gardens and outdoor hospitality areas will have to stay closed for the time being as Nicola Sturgeon said there is “emerging evidence” that these places can be “hotspots” for the transmission of the virus.

She did add that a date for these to reopen may be set later within phase two as the government awaits further advice from its Scientific Advisory Group.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the much-anticipated easing as she addressed the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

She warned that despite the “colossal” impact of lockdown on businesses, the country will enter phase two slowly to continue to suppress the virus.

She said: “We will feel frustrated at times if the journey feels too slow. But if we moved too quickly, the virus would continue to circulate in the community at a higher level of transmission, and [lockdown] measures would be much more restrictive and for much longer.

“The prize for going slowly now is a recovery which is much more sustainable.”

Ms Sturgeon said, for this reason, entering phase two would be a “staged approach” in “order of priority”.

🚨 BREAKING: First Minister @NicolaSturgeon announces further easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland, as we make further progress in suppressing the virus.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Read the @scotgov guidance here: https://t.co/qO5Gnm8rES pic.twitter.com/0QSd69fzqV

— The SNP (@theSNP) June 18, 2020

The First Minister outlined a number of changes on top of the new two-households rule.

She addressed the Scots who have been patiently shielding and unable to leave the house for over three months.

This group will now be able to exercise outside from today, and from Friday will be able to both take part in non-contact activities, such as golf, and meet outdoors with people from one other household.

Ms Sturgeon added that these people should be “extremely cautious” and meet in quiet areas.

From Friday, Scots who live on their own or with children under the age of 18 can form an “extended household group” which entails meeting with another household indoors, without physical distancing. This also includes overnight stays.

The measure is intended to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, and will benefit people like grandparents who live on their own, single parents with children and couples who do not live together.

Apart from when meeting family and friends, Ms Sturgeon asked the public to stay within their local area for leisure and recreational purposes, until this restriction is lifted in time for the proposed resumption of tourism from 15 July.

The First Minister said: “Now, inevitably there are complexities involved in these changes – and there will be many questions about the detail, so you will find more information on the Scottish Government website.

“However, with the best will in the world, we cannot provide precise answers for every bespoke situation. So when in doubt, use your judgement and err on the side of caution.”

“Further changes will then come into effect on Monday 22 June.”

From Monday onwards, these changes include the reopening of shops, zoos, playgrounds, outdoor markets, and the resumption of professional sport.

Here are all the phase two changes and key dates, outlined on the Scottish Government website:

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Phase two key changes and dates:

From 19 June:

• people who are shielding are able to leave their
home for exercise and to meet with 1 other
household outdoors (max 8 people in total) with
physical distancing from 18 June. They are also
able to take part in non-contact outdoor activities
such as golf, hiking, fishing.

• people who are not shielding can now meet with
more households outside. Limit increased from
meeting 1 household to meeting 2 households;
8 person overall limit and need for physical
distancing remains

• they can also use toilets indoors while visiting
the outdoors of another household (Hygiene
measures are essential)

• certain household types can now meet others
indoors in an ‘extended household’

• People should continue to stay in their local area
as much as possible and should not travel more
than broadly five miles for leisure or recreation

From 22 June:

• face coverings are mandatory on public transport

• places of worship can re-open for individual
prayer and contemplation

• professional sport can resume – with public
health restrictions remaining in place

• dental practices can re-open to see patients with
urgent care needs

• construction sector can implement remaining
phases of sectoral plan

• college and university staff can return to make
essential preparations for restart in Phase 3

• consistent with Phase 2, accommodation allowed
for those required to stay away from home for
work purposes

From 29 June:

• indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once
relevant guidance is implemented

• street-access retail can re-open once guidance
is implemented. Interiors of shopping malls/
centres remain closed for non-essential shops
until Phase 3

• outdoor markets can re-open once guidance
implemented

• relaxation on restrictions on housing moves

• outdoor sports courts can re-open

• playgrounds can re-open

• registration offices open for high priority tasks

• marriages and civil partnerships allowed with
minimal attendees – outdoors only

• zoos and garden attractions can open but should
remain limited to local access only (broadly
within 5 miles) in this phase