16 March 2021
Today the First Minister announced more detailed plans on the easing of Covid-19 restrictions from early April.
On 2 April the ‘Stay at Home’ requirement will be replaced with a ‘Stay Local’ message.
From Monday 5 April, assuming that the Covid-19 figures allow, there are plans to ease a wider range of current restrictions in level 4 areas, including:
- Resumption of outdoor contact sport for 12 – 17 year olds
- Return of college students within priority groups
- Reopening of non-essential ‘click and collect’ retail
- Extending the list of retail permitted to include homeware shops, garden centres, hairdressers and barbers, amongst others.
Indicative dates for further easing of restrictions were provided for the remainder of April and May. Further information on this timetable can be found here on the Scottish Government website.
Director of Public Health at NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council, Dr Tim Patterson said: “Today’s announcement undoubtedly brings hope for a brighter summer, however it is important to remember that the ‘route back to normality’ is dependent on suppressing Covid-19. As the First Minister said earlier today, Covid-19 is still dangerous and even more infectious than it was previously.
“Our journey out of lockdown must be a careful and cautious one. So we are asking the people of the Borders to remain patient and stick with the rules in order to continue protecting each other and our local health and social care services.
“Please do not be tempted to bend the rules early or travel into other local authority areas unless for permitted and essential purposes. And when you are out and about, please follow the FACTS advice.”
The FACTS are:
- Face coverings in enclosed spaces
- Avoid crowded places
- Clean hands and surfaces regularly
- Two metre distancing; and
- Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms