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COVID- 19 - Scotland publishes next phase of relaxation Published Date: 25/06/2020

The Scotland Government has published indicative dates for the remainder of Phase 2 and early Phase 3 of it’s route map out of lockdown, to assist businesses, individuals and organisations to plan for the changes that will come. These indicative dates will be confirmed when the relevant review points are successfully passed: 2 July for the later Phase 2 measures and 9 July for the early Phase 3 measures.

Progress to the next phase depends on meeting criteria based on World Health Organisation conditions - to ensure that restrictions are not relaxed unless it is safe to do so. By suppressing the virus in this way, The Scotland Government aims to build a solid foundation for a stronger recovery as the country emerges from the crisis.

Guide to re-opening and scaling up over the rest of Phase 2 and early Phase 3.

Indicative dates: confirmation subject to relevant evidence reviews and phase criteria being met. Not all detail is shown below. Please refer to any relevant guidance.

Monday 29 June

  • Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented.
    • Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.
    • Excludes: indoor workplaces due to open in Phase 3 (e.g. non-essential offices and call-centres).
  • Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres/malls remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3.
  • Outdoor markets can re-open once guidance is implemented.
  • Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.
  • Outdoor sports courts can re-open.
  • Playgrounds can re-open.
  • Registration offices open for high priority tasks.
  • Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees - outdoors only.
  • Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (broadly within 5 miles) in this phase

Phase 2 - Indicative Dates

3 July 2020

  • Travel distance restriction relaxed
  • Self-catering accommodation and second homes (without shared facilities) permitted

6 July 2020      

  • Outdoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) 

Phase 3 - Indicative Dates

 10 July 2020

  • People can meet in extended groups outdoors (with physical distancing) 
  • Households can meet indoors with up to a maximum of two other households (with physical distancing) 

13 July 2020

  • Organised outdoor contact sports can resume for children and young people (subject to guidance) 
  • All dental practices begin to see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care. Work will begin to return aerosol generating procedures to practice safely
  • Increasing capacity within community optometry practices for emergency and essential eye care
  • Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open (following guidance and with physical distancing)

15 July 2020

  • All holiday accommodation permitted (following relevant guidance)
  • Indoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) 
  • Hairdressers and barbers - with enhanced hygiene measures 
  • Museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries - with physical distancing and other measures (e.g. ticketing in advance)
  • All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements 

Phase 3 - Advice on dates at 9 July Review (unlikely to be before 23 July)

  • Non-essential offices and call centres can re-open following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default
  • Universities and colleges - phased return with blended model of remote learning and limited on campus learning where a priority. Public health measures (including physical distancing) in place.
  • Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers
  • Easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriages, civil partnerships, with physical distancing (limited numbers).
  • Following will be subject to further public health advice:
  • Live events (outdoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.
  • Live events (indoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.
  • Indoor gyms - with physical distancing.
  • Other personal retail services - with enhanced hygiene measures.
  • Other indoor entertainment venues (e.g. nightclubs, bingo, theatres, music venues).