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Coronavirus: Measures toughened in three Scottish areas as cases rise

Aubrey Allegretti

Political reporter

Tuesday 15 December 2020 16:03, UK

General view of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, which could be placed into Level 4 in a new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions for Scotland. In Level 4, both indoor and outdoor hospitality businesses would close including cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.
Image: Three areas have moved up a level
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Following a review of Scotland's tier system, three areas will move up a level due to rising coronavirus cases.

The five-tier system came into force on 2 November and areas are reviewed weekly.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that East Lothian, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire will move from Level 2 to Level 3 from 6pm on Friday after cases increased in those areas.

Image: Nicola Sturgeon said nine cases of the new COVID-19 strain have been found in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area

This is what each level means and which area is in which:

Level 0

What areas are in it?

None.

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What are the rules?

This would be "the closest to normality we can safely get to without more effective treatments for COVID or a vaccine against COVID", Ms Sturgeon said - but will still mean some restrictions.

Eight people from three households can meet indoors and most businesses can open with safety measures in place.

It is most comparable to Scotland's situation in August when the virus was "very suppressed but still a threat".

MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 29: Member of the public walks through the town centre on October 29, 2020 in Motherwell, Scotland. The levels of coronavirus restrictions to be placed on each of Scotland's 32 local council areas are to be confirmed later. Provisional tiers published earlier this week suggested North and South Lanarkshire could both be placed in the highest level four category. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Image: There will be restrictions even at Level 0

Level 1

What areas are in it?

Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and the Western Isles.

What are the rules?

Indoor household meetings are restricted to six people from two households.

This would see a "reasonable degree of normality" remain and be similar to the situation in mid-September when "cases started to rise again but prevalence was still fairly low".

General view of Hamilton, Lanarkshire, which could be placed into Level 4 in a new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions for Scotland. In Level 4, both indoor and outdoor hospitality businesses would close including cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.
Image: Hospitality trade will be restricted from Level 2 onwards

Level 2

What areas are in it?

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Argyll and Bute, East Lothian, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway.

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and East Lothian will move to Tier 3 from 6pm on 18 December.

What are the rules?

This applies when transmission of the virus is higher and rising and would see limitations on hospitality businesses and no indoor gatherings allowed with people you do not live with.

Six people from two households can meet outdoors.

Pubs, bars and restaurants can sell alcohol indoors only with a main meal until 8pm.

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'She's going to bankrupt Motherwell'

Level 3

What areas are in it?

Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian will move into Tier 3 from 6pm on 18 December.

What are the rules?

This would see much of hospitality closed with alcohol sales not permitted indoors or outdoors.

Cafes, pubs and restaurants can stay open but only until 6pm to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 26: A man walks past a boarded up pub in the Grassmarket as people are asked to socially distance themselves amid the coronavirus outbreak on March 26, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon along with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, implemented strict lockdown measures urging people to stay at home and only leave the house for basic food shopping, exercise once a day and essential travel to and from work.The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to at least 194 countries, claiming over 21,000 lives and infecting over 470,000 people. There have now been over 9,500 diagnosed cases in the UK and 463 deaths. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Image: Alcohol sales are not permitted under Level 3

Level 4

What areas are in it? None. But Ms Strugeon said the decision to put North and South Lankarkshire in Level 3 instead of Level 4 was "borderline" and will be reviewed every day.

What are the rules?

Non-essential shops must close and it is a sign the NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed.

Six people from two households can meet outdoors and the government will seek to keep manufacturing and construction firms open.

It is the closest to the lockdown experienced during the first peak but schools will also stay open.

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