Lockdown phase two exit begins but gradually
NICOLA STURGEON revealed the latest moves out of lockdown but said phase two will be gradual over the coming weeks. The First Minister announced changes that affect people in single households, those who are shielding and mean more people can go back to work.
The phase two changes means people who live alone can form an extended group with another household, meaning a grandparent can have family to stay.
Ms Sturgeon revealed from today, people who live alone or with children under 18 can have a bubble with one other household.
She said you can visit indoors and stay overnight but it has to be with this household only.
It also means couples who do not live in the same household can meet up indoors and overnight without physical distancing.
Starting today people can meet with up to two other households outdoors but still no more than eight people at a time.
The First Minister said you can also go indoors, where necessary, to use the toilet.
As more people return to work and use buses and trains then face coverings will be mandatory on all public transport from Monday. Only under fives and people with breathing difficulties will be exempt.
It means passengers in trains, buses, the Glasgow Subway and taxis must wear a face mask or covering to be allowed to travel.
Ms Sturgeon said it can reduce the risk of the virus being transmitted.
She said the Government was also consulting on whether it should be compulsory in shops when non-essential retail is allowed to open later this month.
From Monday, indoor workplaces can reopen including factories, warehouses and laboratories. Playgrounds can open and outdoor sports centres and zoos will be allowed to open.
Non essential retail will reopen from June 29 but only those with an outdoor entrance and exit.
It means shopping malls like St Enoch and Buchanan Galleries will need to wait longer before they can open.
Pubs who were hoping to be given the go-ahead to open outdoor spaces will also need to wait longer.
Ms Sturgeon said that the evidence on outdoor beer gardens is still that they can be hotspots for transmission and more evidence was needed.
She said that she will set out more information on July 2.
Ms Sturgeon said that: “We need to understand this before we allow reopening.”
The latest statistics showed 11 new cases reported, taking the total to 18,077.
However, Ms Sturgeon said that the estimate for the number currently infected had fallen to 2900, down from 19,000 three weeks ago.
There were two deaths registered, meaning a total of 2464. There were 929 people in hospital, a fall of 36 and the number in intensive care dropped by one to 23.
In Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS board area there were 4183 total cases since the outbreak began.
There were 249 people were in hospital and there were fewer than five in intensive care.