The end of the stay at home order

The message has changed to stay local, so we still can't leave our council area.

Author: Max SteelePublished 2nd Apr 2021

The stay-at-home order across Scotland has been changed to stay local, allowing for travel within a local authority area for non-essential purposes.

But the relaxation has raised concern crowds may gather in parks and at beauty spots.

Property manager of Ben Lomond, Alasdair Eckersall said, "We do have to remind folks that it is still a stay local message.

"On good weather days we have had such a lot of people coming out and gridlock on the wee roads - we could end up with the same situation."

Edinburgh Zoo's threatening to turn away visitors who travel into the city from other local authority areas.

Chief executive, David Field warned the attraction is only open for people living in the capital.

He said, "We all have to take a level of responsibility at this time and we will be asking people questions about where they have travelled from."

Highland Council Convener Bill Lobban urged people to be patient and told us, "The Highlands are a fantastic place to visit but let's just take a deep breath, stay safe and obey all the rules and regulations.

From Monday, hairdressers and barbers can reopen for pre-booked appointments, click and collect shopping will be permitted, and homeware shops and garden centres can welcome back customers.

University and college students can also return for in-person teaching and outdoor contact sports for 12-17-year olds may resume.

The First Minister said she will give further updates in April but that Scotland is on course to ease restrictions further, with cafes, restaurants, shops and gyms due to open from April 26 and more people allowed to meet up outdoors.

Non-essential shops, libraries, museums and galleries will also reopen from April 26, and six people from up to three households will be able to meet outdoors.

Beer gardens will also be able to open from that date, the First Minister has said.

Pubs will have to wait until May 17 to reopen indoors.

The First Minister said continued suppression of the virus "will allow us to enjoy many of the things that we took for granted before the pandemic - for example, normal family gatherings where we can hug our loved ones, sporting events, gigs and nightclubs".

She said she hoped that vaccination and Test and Protect would lead Scotland closer to normality, but added she could not say when restrictions would be fully lifted.

"For me to set a precise date for all of that right now would involve plucking it out of thin air - and I'd be doing it to make my life easier, not yours," she said.

"I am not going to do that. But I do believe that over the coming weeks, as more and more adults are vaccinated, it will be possible to set a firmer date by which many of these normal things will be possible.

"I am optimistic that this date will be over the summer.

"I know I will not be the only one now looking forward, with a real sense of hope, to hugging my family this summer."

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