Cautious easing of restrictions

As the vaccination programme advances through age groups some restrictions are to be eased sooner in areas where case rates and prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) allow.

The First Minister outlined the next steps to Parliament and confirmed that Glasgow will move to Level 2 from 00:01 on Saturday 5 June 2021.

The following mainland local authority areas will also remain at Level 2, while the situation with the virus is monitored closely:

• East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
• East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, and South Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire
• Edinburgh and Midlothian
• Stirling and Clackmannanshire
• Dundee

At the same time, from 00:01 on Saturday 5 June 2021, these 15 mainland local authorities will move to Level 1:

• Highland and Argyll & Bute
• Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray
• Angus and Perth & Kinross
• Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire
• Falkirk
• Fife
• West Lothian and East Lothian
• The Scottish Borders
• Dumfries & Galloway

All islands currently in Level 1 will move to Level 0 at the same time due to sustained low numbers of cases. Everyone is encouraged to get tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by finding cases that might be missed, as around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“I appreciate that today’s decisions will feel like a mixed bag. That reflects the fact that we are in a transition phase. No part of the country is going backwards today. Before the vaccines, that would have been impossible on case numbers like this. But the vaccines are changing the game. And that means we can still be optimistic about our chances of much more normality over the summer and beyond.

“As always, all of us have a part to play in beating this virus back. So please, stick with it, and each other.”

For local authority areas in Level 2, we will be providing support to soft play and other closed sectors that had expected to open, or operate in a different way from 7 June.  Full details will be provided by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance tomorrow.

Background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister's statement - 1 June 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Protection Levels allocation to local councils - 1 June 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Regular rapid testing for everyone - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) protection levels: what you can do - gov.scot

Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support funds - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)