The restrictions are expected to last for three weeks.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced today that Glasgow and Renfrewshire will be moving from Level Three restrictions up to Level Four as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister announced the change to the restrictions, which will see 11 local authorities moved into the highest possible level of Scotland’s five-tier system.
Other areas which will join the city of Glasgow and Renfrewshire in Level Four include East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.
The restrictions are set to be imposed from this Friday (20 November) and are expected to last for three weeks, ending on Friday 11 December.
Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament: “I know people are frustrated that other restrictions have remained in place longer than planned.
“But level four is intended to be short and sharp. And in this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact in advance of Christmas and the most challenging winter period.
“Lifting the level four restrictions then [on 11 December] – as we will do – also means that they will not be in place for most of the Hanukkah period – so again, while celebrations may be different, there will be a greater degree of freedom.
“We will assess nearer the time the level that will apply in each area when the level 4 restrictions end on December 11.”
The move to Level Four comes as 37 deaths of people with a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis were recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll in Scotland to 3,323.
The Scottish Government statistics also confirm that 1,248 new cases were registered since yesterday, making up 9.7% of all tests, bringing the total number of positive cases since the outbreak began to 83,259, of which 439 were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 282 in Lanarkshire.
The First Minister has said that travel guidance will become law from Friday. This means that all the travel guidance – not moving between different tiered areas, unless with a reason listed in the current exemptions – will be law, so it will be illegal to travel between these areas from Friday.
People living in Level 3 or Level 4 must not travel outside their own council area, except for certain essential purposes. People living elsewhere in Scotland must not travel to Level Three or Level Four areas, except for essential purposes. And there must be no non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK.
Level Four restrictions closely resemble the lockdown imposed in March, although two households are still allowed to meet outdoors up to a maximum of six people and there is no limit on outdoor exercise.
All non-essential shops will close, along with pubs, restaurants and cafes – although takeaways can still operate, as well as gyms and leisure centres, hairdressers, barbers, beauticians and indoor visitor attractions. Schools and nurseries will stay open but shielding children are not to go to school in level 4 areas.
The First Minister said Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Moray and the Highlands will remain in Level One. But those in Moray and the Highlands are not allowed to visit other people’s houses. Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, the Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, and Argyll & Bute all remain at Level Two.
Nicola Sturgeon also announced that East Lothian and Midlothian will move down from Level Three to Level Two from next Tuesday (24 November). However, the City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Dundee, Fife, Perth & Kinross and Angus all remain at Level Three.
What are the rules for Level Four?
Socialising
The rules are no in-home socialising and a maximum of 6 people from 2 households outdoors and in public places like parks.
For hospitality, all indoor and outdoor premises will be closed. Takeaways will be permitted for food and drink as they are now.
Travel
- No non-essential travel into or out of the Level 4 area with exemptions for essential travel for work, education, shopping health etc; outdoor exercise; weddings and funerals; and transit through restricted areas.
- International quarantine regulations apply
Transport
- People should avoid car sharing with people outside extended household wherever possible
- No non-essential use of public transport, except for essential purposes.
- Face coverings will be compulsory
Close contact services (e.g. hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians)
- Mobile close contact services not permitted
Public buildings – e.g. libraries
- Closed
Stadia and events
- Not permitted / closed to spectators
Worship
- Open – restricted numbers (20)
Life events (weddings, and civil partnerships, funerals) ceremonies and receptions/wakes
- Weddings/civil partnerships permitted, subject 15 person limit
- Funerals and wakes, subject to 20 person limit
- Receptions not permitted.
Early learning and childcare (ELC)(formal childcare)
- Open – subject to targeted intervention which may impact on capacity
Informal childcare
- Essential worker informal childcare only. Permitted in line with household/numbers restrictions, children only may enter other households.
Schools
- Open – with enhanced and targeted protective measures in place
Colleges
- Restricted blended
Universities
- Restricted blended
Driving lessons
- Not permitted
Sports and exercise
- Gyms closed
- Outdoor non-contact sports only (professional permitted)
Leisure and entertainment
- Closed
Visitor attractions
- Closed
Public services (health following NHS remobilisation plan)
- Essential face-to-face services only (online where possible)
Unregulated children’s activities (incl. youth clubs, children’s groups)
- Indoor activities not permitted
Support services (mental health, counselling, day services, respite care)
- Essential only/ online where possible
Offices and call centres
- Essential only/working from home
Other workplaces
- Only limited other workplaces should remain open including essential workplaces (e.g. Critical National Infrastructure), outdoor workplaces, construction and manufacturing.