THE Borders will move to Level 0 of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. 

Ms Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament virtually at 2pm today (July 13).

The First Minister confirmed that the Borders would move to Level 0 - the lowest level of restrictions - from Monday (July 19). 

However, Ms Sturgeon said there will be "certain modifications to our original indicative plans".

The First Minister confirmed that face coverings will be in place "for some time to come". 

According to Ms Sturgeon, from July 19 all parts of Scotland will move to Level 0 but with modifications applied "consistently" across the country.

In Level 0, eight people from four households can meet indoors at home - up from six people from three households in Level 1.

Ten people from four households can meet in an indoor public place such as a pub or restaurant.

Meanwhile, 15 people from 15 households can meet outdoors. 

From Monday, children under the age of 12 will not count towards the number of households.

Up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals in Level 0.

Modifications to Level 0 move

 

Ms Sturgeon announced some modifications to the original Level 0 plan. 

Hospitality venues will be required to close at midnight, the First Minister announced. This is a change from the the indicative plan to allow these venues to follow local licensing rules. 

A modification to physical distancing has also been announced. 

In outdoor public places, there will be a requirement to physically distance from different groups for "at least the next three weeks".

The final modification is to do with working from home, where the gradual return to offices has been postponed.

Announcing the changes, Ms Sturgeon said: "I hope that the move to Level 0, albeit in a modified form, will be welcomed.

"We are no longer in lockdown, nothing like it. Life is much more normal than at any time since the start of this pandemic.

"The gradual approach we're taking means that sensible precautions will remain in place to limit transmission while we make even more progress on vaccination."