Restrictions relaxed from Monday

Indoor comedy can resume in Scotland from Monday after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a relaxation of lockdown measures.

Under the new Level 2 restrictions, pubs in Scotland will be allowed to sell alcohol indoors and small seated indoor events are permitted, with social distancing and a recommended maximum capacity of 100 people.

Restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars can open indoors until 10:30pm with two-hour pre-booked slots. A maximum of six people from up to three separate households can meet indoors, but the advice is to keep at least one metre away from people not in your households

Table service and the wearing of face-coverings when not seated by all non-exempt customers is mandatory in such venues.

The easing will apply across most of the country, although  Moray is expected to remain under the existing restrictions after a surge in cases, while some islands will move to even less strict Level 1 restrictions on the same date.

The move - which follows a similar announcement Boris Johnson made for England yesterday - offers extra hope for Edinburgh Fringe venues being able to operate in August, although a lack of certainty is hampering planning.

Published: 11 May 2021