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Essential repairs and home moves to continue in Scotland during new lockdown
Tradespeople will be allowed to enter homes to carry out essential repairs and the housing market will remain open for the duration of Scotland’s new coronavirus lockdown.
Guidance published by the Scottish government today lays out what work will be allowed to continue following the announcement of a new law that will require Scots to remain at home as COVID-19 infections surge.
Exceptions to the new rule include those whose work cannot be carried out from home.
Tradespeople will be allowed to enter other people’s homes to deliver essential work only, including utility safety checks and repair work that would otherwise threaten the household’s health and safety.
Scots will be allowed to leave the home for any activities associated with a home move, including viewing a property.
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The rules regarding home moves and repairs are similar to those already implemented in the majority of the country, which was placed under the Scottish government’s Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions on Boxing Day.
The guidance does not mention anything about construction sites being closed like they were in Scotland during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Spring last year.
Also unlike the restrictions in March, Scots will be allowed to leave the home to exercise as many times as they want. But as was the case during the first lockdown, only essential shopping will be permitted.
All of mainland Scotland will be impacted by the new laws, which are due to come into effect at midnight tonight.
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the new measures, which include the closure of schools for most pupils, in a bid to contain the new faster-spreading strain of COVID-19.
The rules are currently expected to remain in place until at least the end of January, when the guidance will be reviewed.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce new coronavirus restrictions for England at 8pm today.
