Key points: Nicola Sturgeon sets out new Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland
Published: 14:30, 22 September 2020
Updated: 14:02, 14 October 2020
Nicola Sturgeon has announced a range of new measures to combat the rise in coronavirus cases in Scotland.
They will be reviewed after three weeks but the First Minister warned they may be needed for longer.
Here the PA news agency looks at the key points of her statement in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
– Visiting other homes is banned. The measure comes into force on Friday but Ms Sturgeon has asked people to follow the rule from Wednesday.
There will be exceptions for those living alone or alone with children, who form extended households.
This includes couples who do not live together, grandparents providing childcare, and tradespeople.
– Bars and restaurants will be required to close at 10pm from Friday. Ms Sturgeon said further restrictions, including possible closures, will be “unavoidable” if social distancing and other measures are not followed.
– The Scottish Government is advising against car sharing with other households.
– Holidaymakers are urged not to book travel overseas for the October break.
– Everyone who can work from home, should work from home.
– The rule of six remains – a maximum of six people from two different households can meet up in public indoor places, such as pubs, or outdoors, with some exemptions for younger people.
Indoors, children under 12 do not count towards the limit of six but must not be from more than two households. Outdoors, they are exempt from the rule.
Those aged 12 to 18 can meet multiple households outdoors up to a maximum of six people.
– Indicative dates previously outlined for lockdown easing on October 5 – such as the return of fans to Scottish sports stadiums – are “unlikely to go ahead” on that date.
– Vulnerable people are not being asked to return to shielding.
-Financial support of £500 will be made available for those on low incomes who have to self isolate due to coronavirus.
– A so-called circuit breaker, or short period of nationwide lockdown, will be kept under review.
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