People from up to three different households can now meet indoors, while face coverings have become mandatory in shops.
Those are just two of the changes that have come into force on Friday, following Scotland’s move to phase three in its route map out of lockdown.
Although a household can now meet two others indoors, the total number of people cannot exceed eight in total.
In addition, a number of other changes have now come into effect. They include:
- Outdoor meetings of up to five households, comprising no more than 15 people, are also now permitted.
- A household can meet up to four other households in total in one day. Two-metre distancing between households is to continue, with heightened hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Face coverings in shops are now compulsory, having already been made so on public transport last month. However, children under five will be exempt from the face coverings rule, along with those with certain medical conditions.
- Couples who do not live together will now be able to meet without physically distancing, regardless of their living arrangements.
- Children aged 11 or under no longer need to physically distance indoors but those between 12 and 17 should continue to do so.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move to phase three in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
She confirmed two-metre social distancing, while remaining in place at large, will be relaxed in key sectors.
From Monday, non-essential shops inside shopping centres will be able to reopen and on Wednesday pubs, restaurant and cafes can follow suit.
Beer gardens were permitted to resume from Monday while shops with outdoor entrances and exits have already received the go-ahead to reopen.
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