Coronavirus: Fife to remain in level three of lockdown restrictions, says First Minister

Fife will remain in Level 3 according to the First Minister.
First Minister - Nicola SturgeonFirst Minister - Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister - Nicola Sturgeon

The Scottish Cabinet decided against changing the region’s pandemic restriction levels at its meeting this week.

Fife was moved from Level 2 to Level 3 only last week to tackle a rise in positive COVID tests.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It will remain there until the next review – and Fifers must not travel outwith their own region unless there are exceptional circumstances.

It was one of 19 local authority areas which saw no change, but Ms Sturgeon said the region was making progress, albeit the position remained “fragile.”

Two areas moved from Level 3 to Level 2, but eleven local authorities went up from Level 3 to Level 4.

Level 4 restrictions will be in place for 3 weeks - and will be lifted on December 11.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Sturgeon said: “We must get through the next few months as safely as possible and that means tough decisions.

"Level 4 is intended to be short and sharp. In this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact in advance of Christmas and the most challenging winter period"

“ To underline how important this is, I can confirm that the guidance that has been in place in recent weeks will become law from Friday.

“This is a big step. That means people living in Level 3 or Level 4 must not travel outside their own council area, except for certain essential purposes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement came as parts of Scotland were escalated to Level 4 which brings the toughest restrictions.

She said the measures were designed to give some “limited and careful” easing of the rules over the Christmas period.

Under Level 3, the biggest impact will continue to be on the struggling hospitality sector with pubs banned from selling alcohol, and facing a closing time of 6:00pm.

A number have already simply closed until the region returns to Level 2.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Socialising is prohibited, barring some exceptions including caring for a vulnerable person.

Outdoor groups in public places are limited to six people from two households.

Drive-in events will no longer be permitted, and cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will also be shut..

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gyms are also impacted as indoor exercise will be limited to individual workouts.

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

Related topics: