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Moray to move to Level 0 of coronavirus restrictions but working from home remains in place


By Jonathan Clark

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MORAY is set to join the rest of Scotland in moving to level zero of coronavirus restrictions next week.

Restrictions in place to slow to spread of Covid-19 will ease on Monday, July 19.

From that date, eight people from four households can meet in a private setting, 10 people from four households can meet in a pub or café and 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors.

Children under the age of 12 do not count towards the number of people or households.

UK-wide travel will be permitted, social-distancing will be reduced from two metres to one and up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals.

However, some restrictions that were expected to ease will not do so.

The work from home message will remain in place and will do until at least August 9, while pubs and restaurants – which had hoped to go back to following local licensing laws – will be required to close at midnight.

Nightclubs will remain closed as planned.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that the wearing of face coverings will remain in place for "some time", but said the country's vaccination programme offers "hope".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

She said: "This is a time for continued caution.

"While Scotland will move to level zero from Monday, we will do so with some modifications to our intended plans. This is to ensure that the pace of easing of restrictions is sensible in light of the challenge we continue to face from the delta variant.

"Some mitigations such as wearing face coverings will remain in place for some time to come.

"Measures like this not only give protection to the population as a whole but also protection and assurance to those amongst us who are particularly vulnerable and who previously had to shield

"Lifting all protections and mitigations right now would put all of us at risk, but in particular, much more difficult for the clinically vulnerable to go about their lives and would risk shielding by default.

"Vaccination continues to give us hope and I appeal to everyone to get vaccinated to get us back to normal."

Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead added: “I have no doubt that the changes to restrictions from next week will be welcomed by folk in communities across Moray.

“As restrictions continue to ease off, it becomes even more important that we stick to the guidance and to follow advice on hygiene and social distancing, so I would urge people to continue to act with care.

“The virus hasn’t gone away and it is right that we take a cautious and sensible approach to easing restrictions to ensure that we keep our communities safe."


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