Scotland enters new coronavirus tiered restrictions system - here's everything you can and can't do from today

The Scottish Government’s new five-tiered system which will see local authorities placed under different ‘levels’ of restrictions comes into force today.
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Each area has been allocated a certain level of rules based on the amount of cases and the rate of infection in a bid to prevent the further spread of coronavirus.

Unlike the first lockdown, which started in March, all schools and universities will remain open in the country’s different local authorities, but various new restrictions may apply depending on where you live.

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Here is some updated information on what you can and cannot do depending on what ‘level’ your local authority has been placed under. Under each section is a list of the council areas under those particular restrictions from November 2.

Scotland enters new coronavirus tiered restrictions system - here's everything you can and can't do from todayScotland enters new coronavirus tiered restrictions system - here's everything you can and can't do from today
Scotland enters new coronavirus tiered restrictions system - here's everything you can and can't do from today

Level 0 – no region has yet been placed under this level with the most lenient restrictions

This is the closest to normality and will allow a maximum of eight people from three households to meet indoors and 15 people from five households to meet outside.

There will be no restrictions on the tourism sector, shops nor hair and beauty businesses – except those who work in a mobile capacity.

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All public buildings will be open and businesses in the hospitality sector will be able to continue service both indoors and outdoors and at normal licensing times - note socialising rules will still apply.

Stadiums will be able to open with restricted numbers and outdoor public events and seated indoor events will also be allowed to go forward.

Places of worship will also be open to up to 50 people, with the same limit on weddings and receptions as well as funerals and wakes.

Level 1 - Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland

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Socialising is restricted to six people from two households inside and outside, with a further curb on events meaning only a small number of people will be seated indoors, with restricted numbers outside.

The number of people able to attend weddings or funerals and their associated events will also drop to 20.

Unlike Level 0, where no restrictions will be in place, amateur indoor sports among those over the age of 18 will not be allowed.

Hospitality businesses will be forced to close by 10.30pm, both inside and outside, with the last entry permitted at 9.30pm.

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Level 2 – Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Fife, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll & Bute and also Perth & Kinross and Angus

Measures will remain largely the same as in Level 1, however in-home socialising will be prohibited, barring some exceptions including caring for a vulnerable person.

Outdoor groups in public places will be limited to six people from two households.

Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls will be the only leisure facilities allowed to remain open, with soft play, funfairs, indoor bowling, casinos, theatres, snooker or pool halls, music venues, nightclubs and adult entertainment venues all shuttered.

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Only drive-in events will be permitted, with indoor, outdoor and stadium events cancelled.

Public buildings will impose protective measures while NHS services will reduce face-to-face contact with patients.

Indoor hospitality venues will also close from 8pm, with last entry at 7pm and outdoor businesses will shut at 10.30pm.

Level 3 – Inverclyde, East and West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, and the City of Glasgow; South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire; Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire; The City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and East Lothian

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Socialising rules will remain the same as in Level 2, with guidance issued for only essential hotel use.

Drive-in events will no longer be permitted and cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will also be shuttered.

Indoor exercise will be limited to individual workouts, with outdoor exercise only allowed for those under the age of 18, except professional sports.

Hospitality businesses will also be prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6pm with last entry at 5pm.

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Level 4 – no region has yet been placed under this level with the harshest restrictions

This has been described as the closest to the lockdown imposed in March, with travel restrictions and a requirement to stay at home being possible if cases get too high.

While socialising will stay the same as Level 3, non-essential retail will be closed and the limit for weddings will drop to 20 people, along with the number allowed in places of worship.

Formal childcare will be subjected to “targeted intervention” while informal childcare will only be allowed for the children of key workers.

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Gyms will again be closed and outdoor sports will be limited to non-contact only while professional sports will continue.

Essential work, outdoor work or those who have a job in construction and manufacturing will be the only sectors allowed to continue, with everyone else recommended to work from home.

All hospitality will be closed.

Some regions may change levels depending on coronavirus case numbers and rate of infection. To keep up to date with the Scottish Government’s latest announcements follow our liveblog which we run through the week giving the country’s latest information on coronavirus updates.

During the First Minister’s daily briefing when she announced Scotland’s new tiered system, Nicola Sturgeon said the recent restrictions imposed were taking effect.

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She said: “While we cannot be certain – and have no grounds for complacency – we do see some encouraging signs that this might be the case.

“Last week I indicated that we were beginning to see a significant slowing in the rate at which new cases are increasing. I can confirm today that this has continued.

“Cases in the last week, up to today, have increased by 4%. Two weeks ago the weekly increase was 40%.And our latest estimate of the R number, published today, suggests that it is still above 1, but may have fallen slightly to 1.3.

“All of this suggests that the measures introduced five weeks ago to curb household meetings are having an effect.”

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