Scottish Government update plans for easing COVID-19 restrictions
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 24th February 2021
Easing of restrictions may allow some non-essential retail and services to reopen in Scotland by the end of April.
The Scottish Government has published an updated version of its Strategic Framework for emerging from the pandemic (this link will take you away from our website). The core focus of the government strategy is to suppress the virus to the lowest levels possible whilst aiming to return as much normality for as many people as is possible.
Easing of restrictions will be phased in at three week intervals, to allow appropriate monitoring of their impact. For the first stage, more pupils will return to school and outdoor mixing will be possible in slightly greater numbers. At the next stage, final school returns will happen, the general stay at home requirement will be lifted, limited communal worship will be possible, and some reopening of retail will take place.
If these stages and the vaccine rollout proceed well, then by the end of April some return to the levels system is anticipated, though no part of Scotland will be placed lower than Level 3. This will allow a phased reopening for certain non-essential retail and services such as gyms and hairdressers.
Further easing beyond this will be determined at a later date, according to progress in reducing prevalence of COVID-19. In the longer term, the government expects that the focus of suppression measures will shift from restrictions to vaccines, as more of the population receive their vaccinations.
End of page.
You may also like:
Gordon Moody is running free pilot residential programmes in Scotland for people experiencing gambling harm between February and April.
Continue readingGlobal Intergenerational Congress in Glasgow (29 September-1 October 2026) exploring research, practice and learning across generations.
Continue readingDrop in sessions for senior leaders in social work and social care to learn more about the Leading for the Future leadership programme.
Continue readingEvery Tuesday the Discover Digital team at the ALLIANCE shares a free and trusted digital tool that supports health and wellbeing.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingReflections from ALLIANCE Lived Experience group members about their role in contributing to the Women’s Health Plan.
Continue readingScottish Government accepts ALLIANCE call for voting rights for lived experience, unpaid carer and third sector representatives.
Continue readingALLIANCE supports the launch of a new DEAP report sharing learning on meaningful lived experience involvement in mental health policy.
Continue readingOver the year, we have delivered a series of engagement activities with our partners that centre voices of people with lived experience.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Person Centred Voices programme engaged with 9.000 people at over 200 events, to embrace kindness in care.
Continue readingIn 2025, the networks have continued to information share and connect people with experience of heart disease and Long Covid.
Continue readingThe Academy has continued to advocate for long term, meaningful and sustainable change.
Continue readingThe programme continues to raise awareness of how Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) can support children and their families.
Continue readingIn 2025, we have continued to build and strengthen relationships within the third sector and promoted integrated ways of working.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Community Links Worker Programme continued to support people facing challenges such as isolation, poverty and debt.
Continue readingThe Self Management Programme continued to drive the uptake of self management practices in community and health settings.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Scottish Sensory Hub has launched a major campaign on inclusive communication, contributed to consultations, and more.
Continue readingThe Women’s Health Plan Programme continues to represent lived experience priorities in policy development on women’s health.
Continue readingHumans of Scotland continues to champion the voices of disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and carers.
Continue readingIn 2025, the Policy team played a key role in shaping national decision-making and influencing human rights and social security policy.
Continue readingALISS continues to help people find and share information about community assets and services that can support health and wellbeing.
Continue readingThe Digital Health and Social Care Programme has continued to drive transformational change across the sector.
Continue readingThroughout 2025 the membership team has supported members to share their views and experiences and work together to shape change.
Continue readingRegister now to join Scotland's Disability Summit, taking place on 21 February 2026.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue reading