Scotland is now back in a nation-wide lockdown like the one we saw last March.
That means stricter conditions than the level four restrictions the mainland has been living under in recent weeks, in a bid to curb a significant increase in the number of coronavirus infections.
We’re now required by law to stay at homes apart from for essential purposes, like food shopping, caring responsibilities or exercise.
It also means anyone who can work from home needs to, while people in the shielding category have been advised not to go out to work at all.
Outdoor gatherings have been restricted to one-on-one meet-ups, though under 12s do not count toward that limit.
With the exception of key worker and vulnerable children, pupils will now have remote learning until at least the start of February.
These new restrictions are due to last until the end of the month, though First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned they could be extended.
Travel restrictions between council areas, and in and out of Scotland are still in effect
More restrictions come into effect today as part of lockdown. Places of worship will need to shut other than for broadcasting a service, or conducting a marriage or funeral. The numbers who can attend a wedding or civil ceremony is back down to the legal minimum of five
Wakes and post-funeral gatherings are now banned. Some additional premises, retailers and service providers also need to close. This includes showroom elements of larger retailers and ski centres. The one metre physical distancing exemption for workplace canteens has also ended.
On the 13th of January, the First Minister outlined six intended changes to Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown measures.
On the 18th of January, Scotland has suspended all travel corridors. This means;
The First Minister spoke on Tuesday 19th January, stating that the Stay at Home order will remain in place until at least mid-February.
It is a priority to get children back to school as quickly as possible, however Schools will remain closed to everyone except those who are vulnerable or parents are key workers until at least mid-February where a phased return may be an option.
The vaccination program is progressing well & on track to be vaccinating more than 400,000 per week by the end of February. More than 90% of care home residents and 70% of care home workers, frontline health workers and care workeds have received their first dose of the vaccine.
The UK Government has opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre at Bridge Street Car Park in Paisley (PA1 1XN). The centre is easily accessible for people without a car.
The test centre is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of six drive through sites, 26 walk-through sites, 21 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.
In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all Covid testing and test processing outside of the NHS. Around two thirds of all daily tests are provided by the UK Government, in support of Scotland’s health services.
Tests must be booked in advance at NHS Inform or by calling 0800 028 2816. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste).
This is in addition to the following walk-in test sites around Glasgow & the West:
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Updated Thursday 21st Jan 2021, 13:05pm
For full guidelines & latest up to date information, visit gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
