As of today, more people will be able to socialise outdoors following good progress in suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Up to four adults from two households are now able to meet locally in any outdoor space, including in private gardens, for social and recreational purposes as well as exercise. People should only go indoors if it is essential in order to reach a back garden, or to go to the toilet.
Outdoor non-contact sports and group exercise will also resume for adults in groups of up to 15 people.
Young people aged 12 to 17 can meet outdoors in groups of up to four people from four different households, participate in outdoor non-contact sports, and other organised activities in groups of up to 15 and travel across local authority boundaries to participate in such activities.
Should progress suppressing the virus continue, the Scottish Government intends to reopen places of worship with attendance limits increased from 20 to 50 where there is space for social distancing on Friday 26 March. A final decision will be taken on Tuesday 23 March ahead of Passover, Easter, Ramadan and Vaisakhi.
Kenneth Gibson said:
“I am delighted that thanks to the recent fall in case and the smooth roll-out of the vaccination programme, our hard-working health and social care staff and volunteers, people across North Ayrshire and Scotland now have more options than we’ve had so far this year.
"These are tentative steps designed to help people’s health and well-being by enabling group exercise and more social interaction. They will also let children see more of their friends, and exercise and play more normally.
"I am hopeful that further, more substantial changes will be possible in the weeks ahead. With these new options, it remains important that we continue stay within the rules and follow the FACTS advice. We’ll get there!”
The guidance updated on 12 March can be found here.
ENDS
