It was confirmed today, 13th of April, that Orkney would remain at Level 3 but with the opening up of more travel in alignment with mainland Scotland from 26th of April.
In her update, the First Minister of Scotland said:
“To those who would have preferred to see the islands move to level 2 at the end of April, let me reassure you that we do expect at least a move to level 2 to happen three weeks later on 17 May. So this is not long in the context of what we have been dealing with over the past year, where every day feels like an eternity, but it’s not an unending period of time.
“In the meantime, as a result of staying in level 3 for a bit longer, it will be possible for islanders and visitors to travel to and from the islands and I know that will make a difference to individuals and businesses on the islands.”
Secondary school students will all return to face to face schooling in Orkney after the Easter break on Monday 19th of April.
Schools will see more ventilation and the offer of twice-weekly lateral flow COVID-19 testing among staff and senior pupils. The 2m distancing rules will be relaxed.
The Scottish Government expects the whole of Scotland to move to Level 2 on 17 May, to level 1 in early June; and to level 0 in later June.
There were images posted on social media of crowded bars in England where restrictions have already been relaxed.
From 16th of April people will be able to travel anywhere ” for the purposes of outdoor socialising, recreation, or informal exercise”in Scotland.
From 26th of April all travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted. This includes travel to and from England and Wales.
The Covid stats for Scotland as at 13th of April are as follows:
- 221 new cases of COVID-19 reported
- 15,354 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results – 1.6% of these were positive
- 3 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive
- 20 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 133 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
- 2,682,706 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 605,126 have received their second dose
The virus travels with people so as the country opens up more it is even more important to maintain physical distancing and to wear face coverings where needed.
