People in Inverclyde will be able to visit other households indoors and stay overnight as the country enters the next phase of easing the lockdown.

Nicola Sturgeon said coronavirus had been suppressed to a “low level”.

People will be allowed to meet up in extended groups outdoors, and with two other households indoors, from Friday.

Exemptions to the 2m (6ft 6in) physical distancing rule will also be introduced from 10 July, although the use of face coverings in shops will be mandatory.

Couples who do not live together will no longer have to physically distance from Friday onwards, and dates have been set in the coming weeks for the reopening of bars and restaurants, hairdressers and barbers, and the tourist industry.

The first minister said it was still “essential that we all take the utmost care and strictly follow all public health advice”, warning that “we mess with [coronavirus] at our peril”.

The changes which take effect from Friday will increase the size of gatherings that will be allowed in Scotland, and let people meet up indoors for the first time.

A maximum of 15 people from up to five different households will be allowed to meet outdoors, as long as they stay 2m apart.

“Limited” indoor gatherings can now place, with a maximum of eight people from three different households allowed to meet – again while staying apart physically.

People will also be allowed to stay overnight – although Ms Sturgeon described this as “one of the highest risk changes we have made so far”.

She said: “We know that the risk of transmitting the virus indoors is significantly higher than it is outdoors.

“At all times try to avoid creating bridges that allow the virus to spread from one household to another.”

Shopping centres will be able to reopen from Monday 13 July, when dentists and optometrists will be allowed to begin scaling up their work again.

Hairdressers and barbers will resume business from 15 July, with enhanced hygiene measures in place, and indoor areas of bars and restaurants can reopen the same day.

Places of worship can resume services from 15 July, although numbers will be strictly limited, singing and chanting will be limited, and physical distancing will have to be observed.

Ms Sturgeon also set a date for the first time for the reopening of personal retail services like beauticians and nail salons, which can happen from 22 July.

Universities and colleges can implement a phased return to campuses from that date, while Scotland’s schools are due to reopen in full from 11 August.

However, no date has yet been set for the reopening of “non-essential” offices, indoor entertainment venues like theatres and bingo halls, or the resumption of live outdoor events.

Commenting on Scotland moving to Phase 3 of the easing of lockdown restrictions, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“Today’s confirmation by the First Minister that the country can now return to more normality will be very much welcomed by all, particularly businesses that are due to reopen and begin to build up their trade. 

“Hospitality and tourism businesses now need time to plan therefore the exact detail around the mitigations they will be expected to put in place to safely reduce physical distancing to 1m from 2m is needed now.

“Our business communities across Scotland are eager and ready to get back to work in order to breathe life back into our economy and protect the livelihoods it supports.

“Businesses have invested heavily to comply with all health & safety regulations and government guidance. We are firmly open for business and would ask everyone to come out and support your local businesses.   

“The next great challenge is now determining if consumer demand can be stimulated and maintained as government support measures taper off in the next few months.’’

Article – BBC