MSP welcomes plans to move Scotland to Level 0
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LOCAL MSP Karen Adam has welcomed the announcement that Scotland will move from Level 1 to Level 0 on Monday, July 19.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised the Scottish Parliament of the intended changes earlier this afternoon.
Moving to Level 0 means that eight people from four households will be able to meet indoors and 10 people from four households in an indoor setting such as a pub or restaurant. Fifteen people from 15 households can meet outdoors; up to 2000 people can attend stadia seated, 1000 standing, with 400 people indoors.
The limit on attendance at weddings and funerals has increased to 200.
International travellers arriving from amber list countries will not have to self-isolate if they have had two Covid vaccines, but the advice remains not to travel unless it is essential.
The First Minister also made it clear that face masks will continue to be mandatory in certain settings and are likely to be in the future.
Ms Adam said: “I know so many of us are delighted with the Scottish Government’s announcement that Banffshire and Buchan Coast will move to Level 0 from Monday, July 19, this is a welcome step in easing restrictions and returning to normality.
"This could be our final push towards normality, I am very grateful for the efforts of everyone in Banffshire and Buchan Coast who have been keeping people safe by following the rules.
“To get us over the line we need to continue to follow best practice and get vaccinated. There is a walk-in centre set up here for anyone who has not yet had a first dose or if you have waited eight or more weeks for your second dose.
“Vaccination is Scotland’s route out of the pandemic because we are currently in a race between the virus and the vaccine. We cannot allow the virus to get ahead.
“Long Covid continues to be a condition of great concern for the Scottish Government as experts still don't fully understand the long term impacts of it. That is why we must continue to exercise continued caution, a sense that is taken from leading experts at the World Health Organisation.
“I would urge everyone to follow the rules laid out in the First Minister’s statement to ensure we can move to a greater sense of normality on the Scottish Government’s route map on August 9.”
