On 23 February the First Minister provided the Scottish Parliament with an update on COVID-19 and related restrictions. Full details can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework update - February 2021. Page 14 summarises the key points.
In setting the context, the First Minister stated at this stage we need to continue to be cautious and patient. She also said there are much firmer grounds for optimism now that we have vaccinations and the other tools at our disposal offering us a route back to greater normality. It was also made clear there is quite limited scope for easing restrictions at this stage based on the public health advice.
The statement set out indicative dates to return to a system of levels from the last week of April. We wanted to make members aware of the key points, but to note that these dates are all subject to there not being any further setbacks or outbreaks:
15 March
Education: Return of P4-7 pupils to schools full-time. More but not all secondary pupils returning to school at least part-time. (Full details to be confirmed week commencing 1 March)
Sport: Non-contact outdoor group sport permitted for 12 to 17 year olds (this is already permitted for under 12s).
Gatherings: Outdoor meetings of 4 people from 2 households permitted.
5 April
Stay at home: Stay at home requirement removed.
Education: Return to full-time in person education for all remaining school pupils.
Gatherings: Outdoor meetings of 6 people from 2 households permitted.
Economy: More retail businesses being classified as essential. Click-and-collect permitted for non-essential retail.
26 April
Strategic (Levels) Framework: Return to a levels system, which includes regional variation based on data. Further detail will be published in mid-March.
Level 3: Initially the intention is that mainland Scotland will move to level 3. The islands currently at level 3 may drop to level 2, based on data.
Sport: The levels system will support the phased re-opening of sport. The detail of what activity will be permitted in each level will be confirmed in mid-March.
It is important to note that the timings are indicative and any changes will be driven by the data. It should also be noted that the dates set-out by UK Government on 22nd February do not apply to Scotland.
The First Minister also provided an update on support for businesses. The key details are:
Scottish Government will support the strategic framework business fund until at least the end of June.
When local authority areas move out of level 4, businesses that are allowed to reopen will continue to receive payments from the fund for at least the subsequent four weeks.
Scottish Government is considering tapered support for businesses that may still face trading restrictions and reduced demand, as they re-open.
STS will continue to work with colleagues in sportscotland and Scottish Government on the specific details directly relating to target shooting and will communicate this to our members when more details are released.
Below is a graphic from the BBC News website that helpfully reinforces and illustrates the information above:
