New 5 Tier Covid restrictions begin in Scotland

2 November 2020, 06:01

New coronavirus restrictions will begin on Monday
New coronavirus restrictions will begin on Monday. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

Scotland's new 5 Tier Covid restrictions come into force on Monday as England prepares for a four week national lockdown.

From 6am the new measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic will affect Scots by local authority rather than health board area - with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warning the Scottish Government will not hesitate to increase the level of protection either locally or nationally if required.

A postcode checker has also been launched to help people in Scotland check where their area is in the new five-tier restrictions which come into effect on Monday.

Explained: Scotland five-tier system - what you can and can't do

Read more: Protect Scotland Covid-19 app now works in Northern Ireland and Jersey

The levels have been graded from zero to four, with no local authorities placed under the toughest measures at the highest level for now.

Levels 1, 2 and 3 are broadly comparable to the three tiers of restrictions currently set in England - before their national lockdown later this week - while Level 0 is similar to what was in place across Scotland in August when the virus was suppressed to very low levels.

More than one million lab-confirmed coronavirus cases recorded in UK

Ms Sturgeon said: "Our new levels approach enables us to respond quickly and flexibly as required, particularly in areas where we are concerned about the rate at which the virus is spreading.

"It is important we all comply with the rules in our area if we are to successfully suppress the virus, avoid the need for tighter restrictions and protect the NHS.

Read more: Most of Scotland to be placed in Tier 3 of new five-level coronavirus system

Read more: England lockdown 2 - there is 'no alternative', declares Boris Johnson

"It's crucial that everyone knows what level their local authority is in and that they stick to the rules in their area.

"The postcode tracker (https://www.gov.scot/check-local-covid-level/) will be a vital tool in helping to ensure this happens."

Maajid Nawaz argues lockdown strategy is largely political decision

The central belt - including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Stirling and Falkirk - will be joined by Dundee and Ayrshire in Level 3.

Here, there is no in-home socialising barring some exceptions, with outdoor groups in public places limited to six people from two households.

As well as the closure of drive-in events, cinemas, arcades and bingo halls, hospitality businesses will be prohibited from selling alcohol and must close at 6pm with last entry at 5pm.

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Fife, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross and Angus will be in Level 2 - with the socialising rules remaining the same as Level 3.

Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls will be the only leisure facilities allowed to remain open and outdoor drive-in events permitted - but indoor, outdoor and stadium events are not.

Indoor hospitality venues will also close from 8pm, with last entry at 7pm, and outdoor businesses will shut at 10.30pm.

Elsewhere, Highland, Moray, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have been assessed as Level 1.

Socialising is restricted to six people from two households inside and outside with a further curb on events - meaning only a small number of people will be seated indoors with restricted numbers outside.

Hospitality businesses will be forced to close by 10.30pm, both inside and outside, with the last entry permitted at 9.30pm.

The First Minister added: "People across Scotland have faced significant restrictions since late September as we work to stop the increase in Covid cases across the country.

"Prevalence of the virus is currently lower in Scotland than in other parts of the UK and there are some signs that those earlier restrictions may be starting to slow the rate of increase.

"However, we continue to monitor the spread of the virus in all parts of Scotland to assess if, to what extent and at what speed the slowdown is continuing.

"No-one wants to see tighter restrictions but people can be reassured that, if we need to put in place the protections that come with higher levels, we will not hesitate to do so.

"I also urge everyone to follow two key national restrictions by not mixing with other households inside our homes, and not travelling to or from any part of the country in Level 3 unless it is absolutely essential.

"We are continuing to press the UK Government for clarity around the scope of additional financial support being made available to Scotland."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The group claims the factory makes components for Israel's F-35 fighter jets.

Three arrested under Terrorism Act after van crashes into defence factory fence

Owen Cooper is reportedly the youngest actor to have been nominated for the award

Teen star Owen Cooper leads British Emmy charge as 'Adolescence' scores 13 nominations

Ministers are seeking to avoid a repeat of last summer's violent anti-immigration protests, which lasted six days

Fears of riots after secret Afghan resettlement scheme exposed following MoD data breach

Physician associates (PAs) should be banned from seeing patients who have not been reviewed by a medic to prevent the risk of "catastrophic" misdiagnoses, a Government-ordered report has found.

PAs should stop being used as substitutes for doctors to prevent ‘catastrophic’ misdiagnoses, report finds

Nurse Sandie Peggie's employment tribunal resumes today.

Changing room row tribunal set to resume

Yoga, tai chi, jogging and walking could be the best forms of exercise to help tackle the sleep disorder insomnia, a study suggests.

Suffering from insomnia? Try yoga, tai chi or jogging, new study suggests

Bradley Murdoch, the killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio has died after being moved to palliative care last month.

Bradley Murdoch, Australian killer of British backpacker Peter Falconio, dies aged 67

The TV chef, 59, broke his silence on Tuesday night after the show's producers Banijay UK confirmed his contract will not be renewed.

John Torode breaks silence after being axed from MasterChef over racism claim

Last week, Dylan Earl, aged 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, became the first people to be convicted under new National Security Act powers after they were recruited by the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

Teenagers targeted by Russia and Iran for sabotage missions in Britain as state-backed threats increase five-fold

Exclusive
The Conservative leader made the declaration after it was revealed that the government spent nearly two years using an unprecedented superinjunction to prevent the public from learning about the breach.

Ministers must have power to sack civil servants after 'extraordinary' MoD data breach, Badenoch tells LBC

Exclusive
Penny Mordaunt spoke with Andrew Marr about the MoD data breach.

The person responsible for the MoD data breach should lose their job, Penny Mordaunt tells LBC

Exclusive
Defence Secretary John Healey refuses to say whether anyone has lost their job over the Ministry of Defence data breach.

Nobody has been fired over £7 billion Afghan data breach, LBC understands

Exclusive
A former Afghan interpreter told LBC that the Taliban may have used the major Ministry of Defence (MoD) data breach to target Britain's allies.

Taliban has used major data breach at MoD to target those who helped Britain, says former Afghan interpreter

People search for their belongings amid the debris of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, on July 15, 2025.

Israeli strikes kill more than 90 Palestinians overnight, including 19 members of the same family

Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, who came to the UK in 1999 and founded the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) to help others, said the Government must “accept full responsibility (and) offer meaningful compensation” to those affected.

MoD data breach has 'endangered lives' and 'betrayed' thousands of Afghans, says campaign group

MasterChef presenter John Torode will not return to the BBC cooking show after producers Banijay UK confirmed his contract will not be renewed.

MasterChef star John Torode sacked - after allegation he used 'racist language' upheld in Gregg Wallace report