Level 0 from 19 July

Today the First Minister confirmed to Parliament that all parts of Scotland not currently there will move to level 0 on Monday 19 July. Although there have been modifications made to the original indicative plans as a result of the challenges posed by the Delta variant.

From 00.01 on Monday 19 July, hospitality settings can open till midnight, where their licence allows, and customers no longer be required to pre-book a two-hour slots. However, customers will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect and to wear face coverings except when seated.

The physical distance requirement in indoor public spaces will reduce from 2m to 1m where there isn’t already a 1m rule in place and up to 200 people will be able to attend weddings and funerals.

Employers are being asked to continue to support home working where possible until we move beyond Level 0 and the limit on the size of outdoor group gatherings is to remain at 15 people from up to 15 households.

Further information on what Level 0 means for all sectors is available here and the First Minister’s full speech can be found here.

In addition, from 04:00 Monday 19 July, fully vaccinated travellers and children arriving into Scotland from Amber List countries will no longer be required to self-isolate and take a day eight test. Adults and children over 12 will still take tests before travelling and on day two after arrival. Anyone testing positive for or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will still require to isolate for 10 days.

The First Minister will provide a further update to Parliament in the week before the next review date on 9 August.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“Self-caterers with larger properties in Scotland who were listening to the First Minister today will find very little to be hopeful or optimistic about once again.

“While some smaller operators in our sector have had some good fortune, our larger operators continue to face the most dire circumstances and continued curbs on their activity until August at least.

“Bizarrely, the message that our sector is receiving, in lieu of actual help, is that it’s fine for thousands of people to gather round a football pitch but not for more than 8 vaccinated people to gather round the table of a nice, clean property in the Highlands.”

“As a sector, our ask is very simple; we’re not asking for more money but we do think that the government must redeploy a small part of its COVID-19 underspend promised to larger properties to help those in our sector who are still unable to trade, and to secure the jobs and livelihoods of those who work in it.”