Phase three: All the lockdown changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that Scotland will move to phase three of the easing of lockdown from Friday.

Addressing MSPs in Holyrood on Thursday, the First Minister said that all six criteria set out by the World Health Organisation had been met, allowing Scotland to move to the next stage.

In confirming the move to phase three, the First Minister called it a “significant milestone” for the country.

She announced that from 10 July, up to 15 people from five different households will be allowed to meet outdoors, as long as social distancing is adhered to.

A maximum of eight people from three different households will also now be able to meet indoors.

The First Minister described the change as “one of the highest risk changes we have made so far”.

She added: “We know that the risk of transmitting the virus indoors is significantly higher than it is outdoors.

“So it is essential that we all take great care and strictly follow all of the public health advice.”

NS: "Taking all of these various factors into account I can confirm it is the judgement of the Government that we can now move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 of the routemap."

— The SNP (@theSNP) July 9, 2020

Indoor hospitality businesses have also been given the go-ahead to open on July 15, the First Minister announced.

However, Nicola Sturgeon added: “Just as with indoor household meetings, opening up indoor hospitality poses significantly increased risks of transmission.

“So it is essential that the guidance on health and safety is followed rigorously, by businesses, staff and customers.

“That includes guidance on physical distancing and taking customer contact details.”

She said shops within shopping centres will also be able to reopen from the same date, meaning the majority of retail premises will be operational in phase three.

Tourism businesses such as hotels will also be able to open as expected on July 15.

Museums, galleries, libraries and cinemas, provided that tickets are bought in advance, will also be able to accommodate people again.

Hairdressers and barbers will be able to open on the expected date, with guidance for the sector due to be published this week.

A customer has her hair styled at a salon in Leeds

And in a change that was not expected to be announced in phase three, from July 22, the First Minister said, beauty salons will be able to open again.

Universities and colleges will also be able to begin to implement a phased return to learning.

There were also some key changes announced to the two-metre social distancing rule.

Hospitality venues will be allowed to ease the one-metre rule, the First Minister said, with mitigations in place.

Public transport and retail will also see the rule relaxed from Friday.

However, mitigations will have to be in place in these sectors, she added, as well as ensuring that discussions have taken place with trade unions before the rule is eased.

Nicola Sturgeon described her statement to parliament as “the most significant milestone yet in Scotland’s emergence from lockdown”.

She said: “I hope that the measures we have announced or confirmed today are welcome.

“All of them, of course, depend on us keeping the virus under control.

“Eliminating it as far as possible now – ahead of the almost inevitable challenges we will face come winter – remains our objective.

“And we will not hesitate to reimpose restrictions if we consider it necessary to halt the spread of the virus and save lives.”

Phase three dates

10 July

Facemasks mandatory in shops
Adults are now able to meet in extended groups of 15 outdoors, from up to four households, with physical distancing.
Children no longer need to physically distance while indoors
Limited indoor gatherings with up to a maximum of two other households, with physical distancing.
If physical distancing can be complied with visitors will also be able to stay the night.
People who are part of non co-habiting couple no longer need to physically distance.

13 July

Outdoor contact sports resume between children and young people
Dental practices can begin to receive their first patients for non-aerosol treatment
Optometrists can allow patients to receive emergency and essential eye care
Non-essential shops inside shopping centres reopen with strict physical distancing measures in place
Woman can also have someone accompany them to ante and postnatal appointments
Face to face youth work can resume outdoors.

15 July

All holiday accommodation is allowed to reopen as long as relevant guidance is followed
Restaurants, bars and cafes can serve customers inside, subject to physical distancing rules
Hairdressers and barbers can return to work with enhanced with enhanced hygiene measures
Museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries will also reopen with physical distancing and further measures – such as advanced ticketing – in place
All childcare providers can open, subject to individual provider arrangements
Places of worship can reopen with congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation, but with limited numbers and a limit on singing and chanting
Restrictions relaxed on attendance at funerals, marriages and civil partnerships, but with limited numbers allowed to attend

22 July

Beauty salons and tailors can reopen adhering to new hygiene measurea
Phased return for universities and colleges, with blended model of remote learning and limited on-campus learning
Motorcycle instruction and theory testing can get underway

23 July

Non-essential offices and call centres reopening, following implementation of relevant guidance, but working from home and working flexibly will remain the default
Reopening dates for indoor gyms, live events and other entertainment venues could be provided during the 9 July update