As numbers of positive cases of Covid19 continue to be recorded in Orkney, now at 33 in total, it has been confirmed that the islands will be placed in the Tier 1 level of restrictions in Scotland starting on Monday.

Scotland has 5 tiers from 0 – 4 with 0 being what we are all aiming at reaching and 4 being where we don’t ever want to be.

So what does Tier 1 mean?

Socialising

• Up to 6 people from 2 groups able to socialise outdoors. (different rules apply to children)

Holiday Accommodation etc

• Hotels, B&Bs, Self-catering, Caravan and Camp Sites can be open with socialising rules applied

Travel

• No non-essential travel to/from level 3 or higher areas in Scotland and equivalents in rest of UK
• Exemptions for essential travel for work, education, shopping, health etc; outdoor exercise; weddings and funerals; and transit through restricted areas
• International quarantine regulations apply
• Otherwise unrestricted
• Active travel (walk, run, cycle, wheel) where possible
• Avoid car sharing with people outside extended household wherever possible
• Face coverings compulsory on public transport

Shops, Retail, Business

• Shopping is open – with face covering to be worn
• Hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians – open
• Public buildings like libraries – open
• Driving lessons – permitted
• Pubs etc – sales of alcohol indoors and outdoors permitted but with limited hours
• Food – cafes, restaurants etc – permitted but with time restrictions

Events

• Outdoor events seated and open space permitted (restricted numbers)
• Outdoor grouped standing events not permitted
• Small seated indoor events permitted
• Stadia – open with restricted numbers

Worship, Ceremonies

• Places of worship open with numbers restricted to 50
• Weddings/civil partnerships – 20 person limit
• Funerals – 20 person limit
• Wakes and receptions permitted, subject to 20 person limit

Childcare

• Early Learning and Child Care – open with standard protective measure in place
• Informal childcare (for instance with grandparents) permitted  in line with household/numbers restrictions

Education

• Schools open with standard protective measures in place.
• Colleges and Universities – blended learning

Sport

• Sports and exercise – permitted except 18+ indoor contact sports (professional permitted).

Leisure and Entertainment

• Leisure and entertainment open -with the exception of adult entertainment and nightclubs (unless permitted events)
• Visitor attractions – open
• Children’s activities (incl. youth clubs, children’s groups) – permitted

Health and Wellbeing

• Public health services – open
• Support services for mental health, counselling, day services, respite care – permitted

Work

• Offices and Call Centres – Essential only – Working From Home where possible
• Other workplaces – Working From Home where possible

For those shielding – advice is being updated.

You can find more information on all the tiers and the Local Authority areas in Scotland here: Coronavirus (Covid19): protection levels by area.

Today’s stats for Scotland, 29th October 2020, are as follows:

• 1,128 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 37 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
• 86 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 1,152 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 18,097 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 7.1% of these were positive