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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Covid in Scotland: Crowd restrictions lifted for outdoor events | Covid in Scotland: Crowd restrictions lifted for outdoor events |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Large outdoor public events such as football matches can take place again after some of Scotland's Covid restrictions were relaxed. | Large outdoor public events such as football matches can take place again after some of Scotland's Covid restrictions were relaxed. |
| The Celtic vs Hibs match in Glasgow was the first test of revised rules which require the vaccine certification of at least 50% of attendees to be checked. | |
| Restrictions on indoor sports, events and venues remain in place. | Restrictions on indoor sports, events and venues remain in place. |
| But Holyrood will be updated on Tuesday as to when these will be removed. | But Holyrood will be updated on Tuesday as to when these will be removed. |
| Nicola Sturgeon has previously said she is hopeful that the restrictions on indoor events can be lifted on 24 January. | Nicola Sturgeon has previously said she is hopeful that the restrictions on indoor events can be lifted on 24 January. |
| As well as the changes to outdoor events, the definition of "fully vaccinated" for the purpose of vaccine passports has changed and now includes having a booster if the second dose was more than four months ago. | As well as the changes to outdoor events, the definition of "fully vaccinated" for the purpose of vaccine passports has changed and now includes having a booster if the second dose was more than four months ago. |
| Is the pandemic entering its endgame? | Is the pandemic entering its endgame? |
| 'Cause for optimism' in case rate data | 'Cause for optimism' in case rate data |
| Number of Covid deaths in Scotland passes 10,000 | Number of Covid deaths in Scotland passes 10,000 |
| Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said the latest data indicates "encouraging signs of progress". | Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said the latest data indicates "encouraging signs of progress". |
| He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the full effect of schools returning and the increased socialising that brings remains to be seen. | He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the full effect of schools returning and the increased socialising that brings remains to be seen. |
| But Sir Gregor added: "At this moment in time I am feeling quite optimistic." | But Sir Gregor added: "At this moment in time I am feeling quite optimistic." |
| On the return of football he urged fans to be wary of shared transport and going somewhere before the game. | On the return of football he urged fans to be wary of shared transport and going somewhere before the game. |
| The chief medical officer highlighted the importance of taking a lateral flow beforehand, avoiding "choke points" in the stadium and wearing a face covering. | The chief medical officer highlighted the importance of taking a lateral flow beforehand, avoiding "choke points" in the stadium and wearing a face covering. |
| He also warned it was too early to "big bold steps" such as reported plans to scrap self isolation. | He also warned it was too early to "big bold steps" such as reported plans to scrap self isolation. |
| Fans have become used to vaccine passports checks. It was the inconvenience most were willing to accept to get back through the turnstiles after a year of being locked out during lockdown. | Fans have become used to vaccine passports checks. It was the inconvenience most were willing to accept to get back through the turnstiles after a year of being locked out during lockdown. |
| Now, after a three week winter break, they're being asked once again to provide proof, not only of double vaccination but also of a booster jag. | Now, after a three week winter break, they're being asked once again to provide proof, not only of double vaccination but also of a booster jag. |
| Spot checks will increase and that could potentially lead to longer queues but it was the trade off between sport and government to get things moving again. | Spot checks will increase and that could potentially lead to longer queues but it was the trade off between sport and government to get things moving again. |
| With Covid figures looking more positive, the hope is that we've seen the last of fans being locked out. If nothing else, the restrictions have served as a stark reminder of the importance of spectators to the sporting experience. | With Covid figures looking more positive, the hope is that we've seen the last of fans being locked out. If nothing else, the restrictions have served as a stark reminder of the importance of spectators to the sporting experience. |
| The clicking sound of the turnstiles, for thousands across the country, will be the welcome sound of normality. | The clicking sound of the turnstiles, for thousands across the country, will be the welcome sound of normality. |
| SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster told BBC Scotland that bringing the winter break forward for top-flight clubs to coincide with the three-week crowd restrictions was a gamble that had paid off. | SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster told BBC Scotland that bringing the winter break forward for top-flight clubs to coincide with the three-week crowd restrictions was a gamble that had paid off. |
| About 60,000 fans are expected at Monday's game. | About 60,000 fans are expected at Monday's game. |
| He said: "Football really is nothing without the fans as we have seen with some games effectively played behind closed doors. | He said: "Football really is nothing without the fans as we have seen with some games effectively played behind closed doors. |
| "It doesn't work for anyone; financially for the clubs and from a fan point of view. | "It doesn't work for anyone; financially for the clubs and from a fan point of view. |
| "I sincerely hope we have seen the back of these restrictions and look forward to the fans returning." | "I sincerely hope we have seen the back of these restrictions and look forward to the fans returning." |
| The hospitality trade has been required to introduce a raft of changes as part of the latest Covid restrictions which are in force until at least 24 January | The hospitality trade has been required to introduce a raft of changes as part of the latest Covid restrictions which are in force until at least 24 January |
| All outdoor events have been limited to just 500 people for the last three weeks as part of a raft of measures to help slow the spread of Omicron variant. | All outdoor events have been limited to just 500 people for the last three weeks as part of a raft of measures to help slow the spread of Omicron variant. |
| In recent days, a slowdown in infection rates has given experts "cause for optimism" that the country might be over the worse of the infection surge. | In recent days, a slowdown in infection rates has given experts "cause for optimism" that the country might be over the worse of the infection surge. |
| But the number of Covid patients in hospital remains high and staff shortages as a result of the pandemic are putting pressure on the NHS and social care services. | But the number of Covid patients in hospital remains high and staff shortages as a result of the pandemic are putting pressure on the NHS and social care services. |
| Prof Helen Colquhoun told Good Morning Scotland that it was "entirely appropriate" that the restrictions were lifted. | Prof Helen Colquhoun told Good Morning Scotland that it was "entirely appropriate" that the restrictions were lifted. |
| The University of Edinburgh public health expert said the translation of cases to hospital numbers was not as bad as feared last month and described the current wave as "mild". | The University of Edinburgh public health expert said the translation of cases to hospital numbers was not as bad as feared last month and described the current wave as "mild". |
| She believes the Scottish government should now focus on protecting the vulnerable and promoting the booster campaign while considering the "end game". | She believes the Scottish government should now focus on protecting the vulnerable and promoting the booster campaign while considering the "end game". |
| Watching closely | Watching closely |
| Prof Colquhoun said: "At the moment there is still very much an emphasis on keeping transmissions down because there remains concern about pressure on the NHS. | Prof Colquhoun said: "At the moment there is still very much an emphasis on keeping transmissions down because there remains concern about pressure on the NHS. |
| "But it's time to consider where we are really trying to get to at this stage as we move towards endemicity of the virus." | "But it's time to consider where we are really trying to get to at this stage as we move towards endemicity of the virus." |
| The hospitality trade will be closely watching the first minister's update to Holyrood on Tuesday. | The hospitality trade will be closely watching the first minister's update to Holyrood on Tuesday. |
| Ms Sturgeon is expected to given an indication on when nightclubs will be able to reopen and when restrictions on hospitality venues - such as the need for table service and social distancing - will be relaxed. | Ms Sturgeon is expected to given an indication on when nightclubs will be able to reopen and when restrictions on hospitality venues - such as the need for table service and social distancing - will be relaxed. |
| The first minister may also give more detail on whether the vaccine passport scheme will be extended to more venues. | The first minister may also give more detail on whether the vaccine passport scheme will be extended to more venues. |
| RULES: What are the restrictions in Scotland? | RULES: What are the restrictions in Scotland? |
| LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives | LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives |
| CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland? | CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland? |
| NUMBERS: Four key figures to watch out for | NUMBERS: Four key figures to watch out for |