Social distancing requirements removed in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, has announced that Scotland will remove social distancing rules from Monday 9 August.

Capacity caps have also been removed for the majority of events although permission will still be needed from local authorities for large-scale events (more than 5,000 outdoors and 2,000 indoors). Face coverings will remain mandatory indoors and self-isolation rules will change for those who are double-vaccinated who test negative.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan responds to this news:

The First Minister of Scotland’s announcement today that social distancing requirements will be lifted for theatres in Scotland from 9 August is hugely welcome. This means Scotland will be joining England and, from 7 August, Wales, in permitting full audiences to return. The benefits of this are widespread. For theatres, and for this year’s Edinburgh Festival, this will provide greater certainty and financial viability and for the broader theatre sector it will make touring easier. Communities across Scotland will once more be able to enjoy live performance and benefit from the positive impact theatres have on town centres, increasing footfall and providing vital communal spaces.