Sturgeon announces framework for Scotland to come out of lockdown

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced further details today (23.02.21) about the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon said government was being “deliberately cautious at this stage” and that the lifting of restrictions depended on the continued success of the vaccination programme.

The framework set out today would see hospitality businesses, non-essential retail, gyms and leisure centres to begin reopening by the last week of April.

If all goes according to plan, Scottish residents will once again have to adhere to a level system, which Sturgeon said would “allow some parts of the country to move faster than others” in regards to easing out of lockdown.

The Scottish government hopes to have all risks groups vaccinated by mid-April, leading the way to the reopening of the economy and many sectors that have been unable to trade since the first lockdown.

More details will be outlined in mid March, but the immediate priority for Scotland is on the reopening of schools and bringing children back to the classroom.

What are the proposed rules?

From March 15^th:

• Next phase of school return – beginning with years 4-7 and then secondary school pupils
• Ease restrictions on care home visits
• Restart of outdoors non contact group sports 12/17 year olds
• Increase in outdoor mixing to 4 people from 2 households

From April 5th:

• Stay at home restriction to be lifted
• Final school return to take place
• Communal worship with restricted numbers can happen
• Six people from 2 households can meet together
• Reopening of retail and restoration of click and collect services

From the 26^th April and if everything is running as smoothly as planned, Scotland will be moved back to a levels system. At this point it is hoped that most of Scotland will move from level 4 to level 3

Sturgeon however stressed that the framework outlined “depends on the ability to supress the virus” and advised residents to stay at home.

Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update can be found here.

We will update this article with more resources and information as they are released by the Scottish government.