COVID-19: What are the new coronavirus rules in Scotland? Which areas move to level 1? | Political news

Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced a “slight slowdown” in the lifting of lockdown rules for much of Scotland amid the spread of the Indian variant of the coronavirus.

This means that not all parts of the country will see a further reopening in the next stage of Scotland’s easing of COVID measures.

however, some regions of the country will benefit from more flexible rules of Saturday.

Here’s what’s going on:

Stay at level 2

As part of Ms Sturgeon’s ‘break’ from lifting the lockdown, the vast majority of Scotland’s central belt will remain in Level 2 restrictions.

The city of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North, South and East Ayrshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Clackmannanshire and Stirling have yet to meet the criteria to see the restrictions ease, said the Prime Minister.

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Ms Sturgeon added that there might even have been an argument to move those areas to Level 3 restrictions, given the raw numbers on COVID cases, but the impact of the vaccination program had meant that would not be not necessary.

Previously, the Scottish government aimed to move most of Scotland to Level 1 restrictions from next week.

Go from level 3 to level 2

Last month, as most of Scotland moved to Level 2 restrictions, Glasgow was left under Level 3 measures due to an ‘uncomfortably high’ number of COVID cases.

However, starting on Saturday, the city will switch to Level 2 restrictions as Ms Sturgeon said the outbreak stabilized there and the number of cases declined slightly.

Under the level 2 restrictions, pubs, bars and restaurants in the city will be allowed to serve alcohol indoors, six people from three households will be able to meet inside the houses and stay overnight, and people will be able to hug their loved ones.

With all of Scotland now ready to …