Thank you for the opportunity to attend the meeting and to update the committee. I think that this is the 25th time that I have given evidence to the committee, and I think that it will be the last committee that I will give evidence to in the current session and, indeed, in my parliamentary career.
On Tuesday, the First Minister set out the details of our next steps out of lockdown. I make it clear that the delivery of those plans is dependent on continued progress in suppressing the virus and rolling out vaccines.
I can confirm that we expect to lift the current stay-at-home rule on 2 April and that we expect contact sports for 12 to 17-year-olds to resume from 5 April. We also expect more students to be allowed to return to on-campus learning and we plan to begin the phased reopening of non-essential retail then.
By the middle of April, supplies permitting, we will have offered first doses of the vaccine to all nine priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Reaching that milestone will give us confidence to move all parts of Scotland that are currently in level 4 down to level 3. The island communities that are currently in level 3 can move to level 2 at that stage, but we intend to discuss that with those communities, as that has implications. Indeed, I have already received substantial representations on that matter—Beatrice Wishart will be in the same position.
We expect that the restrictions on journeys within mainland Scotland will be lifted entirely from 26 April, and we expect all remaining retail premises to reopen on 26 April, as well as all tourist accommodation, libraries, museums and galleries, indoor gyms for individual exercise, work in people’s homes, and driving lessons to restart. We expect that the limit of attendance at weddings, funerals and associated receptions will be raised to 50 people from 26 April. From that date, six people from up to three households will be able to meet outdoors, and 12 to 17-year-olds will be able to meet outdoors, with up to six people from six households. The hospitality sector will also begin to reopen from that date, and people on the shielding list can return to work. Children and young people on the shielding list can return to school or nursery, and students on the shielding list can return to college or university.
From 17 May, indoor hospitality will continue the return to greater normality. Adult outdoor contact sports and indoor group exercises will resume, and cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls will reopen. We also hope that outdoor and indoor events will restart and that colleges and universities will turn to a more blended model of learning. Further face-to-face support will also resume, as will non-professional performance arts. We expect restrictions on outdoor social gatherings to ease further.
From that point, things become much less certain, but we have given an indication of what might be possible following 17 May. That is heavily dependent on the data, and final decisions will, of course, be taken nearer to the time.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/117) are under consideration on today’s agenda. The instrument amends the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/344) by making a few technical adjustments. It removes provisions concerning festive gatherings, as they have now served their purpose, and it adjusts the definition of “end of term household”, so that the relevant provisions remain fit for purpose, now that term has begun. It also adjusts the definition of “professional sportsperson” and clarifies that only those persons and performers can access indoor fitness facilities, such as gyms.
SSI 2021/117 removes the requirement for child contact centres to close in level 4 areas. Guidance sets out when and how they can safely be used. It also eases restrictions on libraries to ensure that they can open for the purpose of providing free computer and internet access where an appointment has been booked.
SSI 2021/117 extends the expiry date under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/344) and the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Directions by Local Authorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/262) to 30 September 2021. It is clear that we are not yet in a position to allow the legislation to expire. It will be kept under regular review and will be relaxed or revoked when appropriate.
SSI 2021/117 was made on 4 March and came into force on 5 March. I hope that the committee has found that explanation helpful. I am of course happy to take questions, along with my colleagues Jason Leitch and Dominic Munro.