From Monday 17th of May Orkney will move to Level 1.

Other parts of Scotland which will also be at Level 1 are: Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and the following islands within Argyll and Bute will move to Level 1 – Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva

The rest of Scotland will be at Level 2 but Moray may remain at Level 3.

What does Level 1 mean ?:

• you can meet socially in groups:
  • of up to 6 people from 3 households in your home or theirs – and can stay overnight
  • of up to 8 people from 3 households in an indoor public place like a café, pub or restaurant
  • of up to 12 people from 12 households outdoors in your garden or a public place
• under 12s do not count towards the total number of people or households meeting outside but do count towards the number of households indoors
• you do not need to physically distance from family and friends in a private home
• you can travel anywhere in Scotland in Levels 0, 1 or 2 but must not enter a Level 3 or 4 area unless for a permitted reason
• you can travel anywhere in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands – before you travel you must check the travel rules in those countries
• you can provide informal childcare, for example to look after a grandchild
• up to 100 people can attend weddings and funerals
• tradespeople can carry out any work and repairs in your home such as painting, decorating or repairing
• you should work from home where possible

Places and business that can open at Level 1 include:

• cafés, pubs and restaurants
• all shops and stores
• all close contact services including hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons
• gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
• tourist accommodation
• all visitor attractions
• all public buildings like libraries and community centres
• all entertainment (apart from nightclubs and adult entertainment)
• stadiums and events – with maximum numbers

You can find out more here: Level 1 what you can do

Although Orkney will be at level 1 we still need to remain cautious and observe the public health messaging.

The stats for Scotland of 11th of May are as follows:

• 168 new cases of COVID-19 reported
• 11,516 new tests for COVID-19 that reported results
  • 1.6% of these were positive
• 0 new reported death(s) of people who have tested positive 
• 6 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 70 people were in hospital yesterday with recently confirmed COVID-19
• 2,912,874 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and  1,502,494 have received their second dose

14,598, 78.1% of adults in Orkney have had their first Covid jag, 6,776, 36.3% of adults have had their 2nd jag (as of 9th May 2021)

10,097 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 2 May 2021

And remember FACTS

• wear a face covering
• avoid crowded places
• clean hands and surfaces regularly
• stay 2m away from other people
• self-isolate and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• download the Protect Scotland app

Moray is causing concern where there is evidence of widespread community transmission of the virus. The rate of new cases there is 4 times higher than for the rest of Scotland.

The Check In Scotland App can also be downloaded which helps when you visit venues, cafes etc. You can download the Check In Scotland app from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

People who wish to visit Orkney are requested to get 2 Covid tests done before coming.

For holidays abroad the FM Nicola Sturgeon had this to say in her Covid briefing today 11th May:

“I want to stress one final point very strongly. Even though the rules on non-essential travel are starting to change, that doesn’t mean we are saying that non-essential international travel is desirable. 

“Everyone should think seriously about whether they need to travel abroad this summer. I know for many people international travel is about family connections and it’s understandable that people may want to travel for that.

“But when it comes to holidays abroad, my advice continues to be to err on the side of caution and to staycation this summer. The importance of following guidance and exercising caution is the note I want to end on. “