Almost all coronavirus restrictions – including social distancing and limits on the size of social gatherings – have been lifted across Scotland.
Venues, such as nightclubs, will also no longer be legally required to close, whilst adults identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 do not automatically need to isolate for a period of 10 days.
Despite the significant changes, which came into effect at midnight on Monday, August 9, a number of mitigation measures will remain in place.
These include the wearing of face coverings in public places, whilst pubs and restaurants must also continue to collect customer details.
Secondary school pupils will be required to wear face masks during lessons when schools return, as well as one-metre social distancing, which will be reviewed six weeks into the new term.
Home working will continue to be advised, with employers being encouraged to consider a hybrid model of home and office working in the longer-term.
Organisers of outdoor events of more than 5000, and indoor events of more than 2000, will have to apply for permission from their local authority.
Last week, Rangers and Celtic were both granted permission by Glasgow City Council to welcome back full stadiums.
Two metre social distancing will be retained in health care settings across Scotland, with the measure to be reviewed as the NHS remobilises safely from the pandemic.
Despite the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged caution about the threat of the virus in her statement to the Scottish Parliament last week.
“This change is significant and it is hard-earned. The sacrifices everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated,” she said.
“However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck.
“Declaring freedom from, or victory over, this virus is in my view premature. The harm the virus can do, including through the impact of long Covid, should not be underestimated.
“And its ability to mutate may yet pose us real challenges.”
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