What are the new restrictions for the Lothians from tonight?

The main changes will be noticed in East Lothian which will be changing to Level 3 from Level 2 at 6pm on Friday, 18 December, but these rules will apply to all those living in the Lothian areas.

What happens with hospitality?

Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors for food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks cannot be served and last entry for customers is 5pm. All venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 6pm.

The maximum number of people you can meet indoors and outdoors in a restaurant, café, pub or bar is six which can be from up to two separate households.

Can I meet others indoors?

You should not meet anyone who is not in your household indoors in your home or in their home if living under Level 3 restrictions. You can meet another household indoors in a public place such as a café or restaurant – up to six people which can be from up to two separate households.

Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people permitted to gather indoors in a public place but do count towards the maximum of two households permitted to meet.

Visiting another household is permitted when needing to provide care and support for a vulnerable person. This can include providing emotional support for someone whose wellbeing is at risk, including for those who are isolated because of disability.

What about outdoors?

It is possible to meet other households outdoors in a private garden or in a public place such as a park or an outdoor area of a pub. The maximum number of people who can meet outdoors is six which can be from up to two separate households.

Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people counted in a gathering, and they also don’t need to maintain physical distance from others so that they can play with their friends outside.

Young people aged between 12 and 17 can meet up in groups of up to six at a time outdoors and are not subject to the two household limit. But physical distancing for them is required.

Extended households

People who live in different places can form an “extended household” in the following circumstances:

People who live alone​​​​If you are an adult and you live alone, or if all others in your household are under 18, you, any children who live with you, and the members of one other household (of any size) can agree to form an 'extended household'. This will allow people who live alone (or those living only with children under the age of 18) to be considered part of another household in order to reduce loneliness, isolation and to provide mutual social support.

Couples who do not live togetherTwo adults who are in a relationship and they do not live together they, and any children they each live with, can agree to form an 'extended household'.

Where can I travel to?

Residents living under Level 3 and 4 must not travel out of the area except for essential reasons. See the Scottish Government website for further guidance on travel and transport and view maps of local authority area boundaries.

Visiting care homes:

essential visits can continue indoor visits with one designated person for up to four hours, once a week garden visits with a maximum of six people from no more than two different households 60 minutes once a week window visits

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