Gov't Set To Scale Back COVID Restrictions

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that some COVID restrictions implemented before Christmas will be scaled back from Monday 17 Jan. The limit of 500 attendees at outdoor sporting events will be lifted, with Sturgeon stating that the relaxing is possible due to “protective measures introduced before Christmas, responsible action on the part of the general public, and the rapid delivery of booster vaccines has had a positive impact”.

• Sturgeon stated that she hoped other restrictions limiting attendances at live public events, social distancing requirements indoors, and table service requirements at hospitality would be lifted in the coming weeks.
• The move sees 50% of attendees/1,000 attendees (whichever is higher) required to show proof of vaccination. If 2nd dose was more than four months ago, a third booster is required to qualify as 'fully vaccinated'.
• UK now a significant patchwork of different regulations, with Wales and Northern Ireland implementing more stringent measures, Scotland slowly relaxing them, while England sits under more mild 'Plan B' measures of advice to work from home and mandatory mask-wearing in shops and on public transport.