Pubs and restaurants in Scotland to re-open in July

People in Scotland will be permitted to meet up with two other households indoors, starting from the 10th of July and pubs and restaurants can re-open from the 15th of July

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has also said that the five-mile travel limit will be lifted from the 3rd of July, while beer gardens at pubs can begin re-open from the 6th of July.

Hairdressers and barbers can open from the 15th of July, as can hotels and other holiday accommodation.

Ms Sturgeon has said that the move to lift some of the lockdown restrictions was possible thanks to the “real sustained progress” made in regard to suppressing the coronavirus within the nation.

Health leaders in the UK have called for a “rapid and forward-looking assessment” of the state of national preparedness for a second wave.

Sturgeon said that the new changes will need to depend on keeping the coronavirus under control, and action could be taken to reverse the changes if there was a fresh outbreak.

These new changes will also not apply to those vulnerable people who are shielding; these members of the public will be given further information on their restrictions “before the end of July”.

The First Minister was speaking of new sets of data that showed that the COVID-19 death rate has continued to decline for the eighth week in a row, with Sturgeon saying that these “clear trends” meant that “firmer milestones” for the way out of lockdown could be put in place.

Advisers in Scotland are still reviewing whether or not to scrap the 2m (6ft 6in) physical distancing rule in the country, but a range of different non-essential shops and other services can now begin planning to re-open in mid-July.

• The 29th of June – Most non-essential shops, many indoor workplaces, visitor attractions including zoos, outdoor sports courts and playgrounds
• The 3rd of July – Five mile travel distance relaxed, most self-catering holiday homes and second homes can be used
• The 6th of July – Outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens can re-open
• The 10th of July – People can meet in extended groups outdoors and with two other households indoors
• The 13th of July – Shopping centres can re-open, organised outdoor contact sports for children can resume, dentists can re-open for most routine care
• The 15th of July – Pubs, restaurants and all holiday accommodation can re-open, as can hairdressers, barbers, museums, cinemas, libraries and childcare

Ms Sturgeon said that on the 1st of May, it was estimated that about 25,000 people in Scotland had the virus, but continued by saying that she expected that figure to be “around 2,000” after new figures are published on Thursday.

She said this was “down to people doing the right thing and following the rules”, saying:

“The sacrifices that have been made have suppressed the virus, protected the NHS and undoubtedly saved a significant number of lives.”

This comes as Wednesday has officially been the hottest day of the year so far, with British public flocking to beaches and beauty spots throughout the UK.