Restrictions are being reimposed to tackle the sharp rise in new cases in Scotland in recent weeks, as well as to avoid a second wave.
Scotland is to introduce a new cap on social gatherings as the nation sees more cases of Covid-19, as Nicola Sturgeon announces that further plans to ease lockdown restrictions have been halted.
In a government briefing today, first minister Sturgeon stated that both outdoor and indoor meetings between family and friends will be strictly prohibited to up to six people from two separate households.
A few exceptions still remain, and the cap will not affect certain gatherings such as outdoor group sport activities, weddings, and funerals.
This announcement comes after Scotland saw further 161 new positive cases being recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in Scotland up to 22,039.
Yesterday, Sturgeon had warned of a “very cautious approach” to the Scottish government’s review of its lockdown plan today, which also comes just over a week after visits between households in five Scottish council areas were temporarily banned.
Separate households in Glasgow will still be banned from meeting indoors, a strict measure previously reintroduced last Wednesday to residents in the Glasgow area, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, and later Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire.
Pubs, restaurants, gyms, cinemas and non-essential shops are allowed to remain open as of now, however group numbers visiting these venues have similarly been cut down to six. This also means the reopening of other indoor venues, such as theatres and live music arenas, has also been delayed until further notice.
England has also recently imposed a new law limiting the number of people from different households allowed to meet to a cap of six, as its number of positive cases has also sharply increased.
Ms Sturgeon said that the recent rise of Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks has led her no choice but to take immediate action in order to halt a possible second wave of Covid-19 throughout Scotland.
The restrictions will affect all residents currently residing in Scotland.
