Pubs and nightclubs return to full capacity as restrictions eased

Coronavirus restrictions put in place at Christmas to stop the spread of Omicron have been eased in Scotland.

From Monday, pubs, nightclubs and theatres will be able to operate at full capacity, with table service and one metre social distancing also scrapped in hospitality venues.

Advice to limit indoor gatherings to three households has been removed and vaccine passports will not be extended to include other settings.

However people are still being urged to work from home where possible and other Covid restrictions, such as face coverings in indoor settings and on public transport, remain in place.

It comes as Scotland recorded a further four coronavirus deaths and 6329 new cases on Sunday.

In an interview, the First Minister said she hopes Scotland is now on a “downward slope of that Omicron wave”.

Speaking on BBC’s Sunday Morning show, Nicola Sturgeon said she believed Scotland’s Covid restrictions had been “worth it”.

“The short answer, I think, is yes they were, although they have a big impact on businesses, and individuals.”

She added: “If you look at what we were predicting through our modelling would be the case in January before Christmas… it was around 50,000 infections a day and we didn’t see that materialise or anything like that materialise.

“I think that was a combination of the acceleration of the booster campaign… these sensible, balanced, protective measures we introduced before Christmas and lastly – perhaps most importantly – the magnificent, responsible response of the public who changed their behaviour in the face of Omicron in order to try to stem transmission.

“So, yes, I think what we did has been worth it and we’re hopefully now seeing Scotland… very firmly on the downward slope of that Omicron wave.”