Scotland will remain in phase three of lockdown restrictions – but dates have been announced for the reopening of gyms, swimming pools and the restart of concerts and live events.
Speaking in Holyrood earlier today, Nicola Sturgeon said that she was not able to indicate a date for moving to phase 4 in Scotland’s route map out of lockdown restrictions and warned this may be the case for the nation’s next review point as well.
However, the First Minister did confirmed dates for the return of sporting and entertainment events in the upcoming weeks.
The events listed below are subject to physical distancing protocols.
August 24
- Outdoor live events involving open space or seating
- Outdoor contact sports for people of all ages
- Driving lessons
- Indoor face-to-face advice sessions e.g. Citizens Advice
- Bingo halls
- Amusement arcades, casinos, funfairs – static and travelling
- Indoor bowling, snooker and pool halls
August 31
- Swimming pools and gyms can reopen
- Weddings and funerals wakes will be allowed to take place with more people in attendance.
- Indoor sports courts to open – including skating and dance studios
September 14
- Sports stadiums could reopen – limited numbers of spectators
- Indoor soft play areas, but no ball pools
- Live music with physical distancing
- Theatres, music halls but not night clubs
For Scotland to move into phase four Ms Sturgeon said ministers would have to be satisfied that “the virus is no longer considered a significant threat to public health” however she argued the latest figures showed “this is definitely not the case”.
Despite concerns about coronavirus clusters in Aberdeen and Angus, the SNP leader said reopenings pencilled in for August 24 could proceed.
As a result she said that some outdoor live events – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted numbers in place – could go ahead from this date.
Ms Sturgeon added: “Organised outdoor contact sports will also resume for people of all ages. However for outdoor coaching sessions, there will be a cap of 30 on the total number of people who can be coached at any one time.
“Driving lessons will resume.
“And indoor face-to-face advice services – for example Citizens Advice – can also open to provide financial advice when necessary.”
For premises such as bingo halls, she stressed it was “of the utmost importance that guidance is strictly adhered to” – saying minsters will be monitoring this carefully.
It was also announced the reopening of gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts was being brought forward from September 14 to August 31.
Speaking about changes that could come in later, Nicola Sturgeon said it was hoped sports stadiums could open from September 14 “though only for limited numbers of spectators and with strict physical distancing in place”.
She added: “Some professional sports events may be arranged for spectators before then – with Scottish Government agreement – to test the safety of any new arrangements.”
It is also hoped indoor contact sports activities can resume for people aged 12 and over from the same date.
Entertainment sites and cultural venues – such as theatres and live music venues – could be able to reopen then too – again with strict physical distancing in place.
“To facilitate that, these venues can open for preparation and rehearsals from August 24,” the First Minister said.
She added: “Finally, we hope that from September 14 wedding and civil partnership receptions and funeral wakes will be able to take place with more attendees than at present, although numbers will remain restricted.
“We intend to set out more detail on this, including on permitted numbers, shortly.”
