Scottish Government to publish plans for easing of lockdown

Scottish Government plans for the gradual lifting of lockdown will be published today.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will present the Scottish Government’s route map for easing the current COVID-19 restrictions to MSPs this afternoon.

The route map will set out four phases for moving out of lockdown, with progress to be assessed every three weeks.

The first phase is expected to include re-opening of garden centres and recycling sites, as well as more outdoor activity, including sitting in parks, some outdoor sports such as fishing and golf, meeting someone from another household outside and the resumption of some outdoor work.

If suppression of the virus continues to work, the first phase will begin on 28 May.

Sturgeon said: “The enormous sacrifices made by people and businesses across Scotland have had a real impact on the spread of COVID-19 and I would like to thank everybody who has helped to protect themselves, each other and our health and care services.

“For the time being the advice on staying at home except for essential purposes remains the same, but we hope to shortly be ready to start easing the lockdown restrictions and today’s route map will outline how we can do that.

“At all stages in this process we have listened to the views of people and organisations in Scotland and have been guided by the latest scientific advice – and that approach will continue going forward.

“Today’s document is based on the guidance set out by the World Health Organization and the experience of other countries as they have eased their lockdown – as well as what we have learned about the impact of COVID-19 in Scotland.

“This will be a very gradual process as we monitor how changing behaviour affects the infection rate and we will only be able to move toward easing more restrictions if we continue to work together to suppress the virus.

“Protecting lives will continue to be our number one priority – and I am confident that people across Scotland will continue to pull together in this national endeavour as we return to some kind of normality.”