The Scottish Government places Highlands at the second lowest level of Covid restrictions
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The Highlands have been placed at Level 1 – the second lowest tier of Covid restrictions – but people are still banned from visiting other homes.
Hopes had been high that following a recommendation from Highland Council that home visits would again be available.
The council specifically recommended in its consultation that any changes to Level 1 rules would cause confusion.
But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has just announced that the ban on entering other people’s homes would remain nationwide.
Along with the Highlands, Moray, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland were also placed at Level 1.
Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that preventing home visits in rural and island communities – the majority of areas at Level 1 – causes 'particular difficulties' but retained the restriction.
It will now remain in place at least until November 10 when the policy will be reviewed.
She said: “I will now turn to the levels that will apply across the country from 6am (on Monday).
“On the initial assessment let me point out that we will review on a weekly basis whether any changes are required and we aim to confirm our decisions to parliament on a Tuesday with changes coming into force on the following Friday.
“In migrating to this new system for the first time we are taking a deliberately cautious approach. At present we do not judge it safe or prudent to place any part of the country into the baseline level zero.
“However, I can confirm that Highland, Moray, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have all been assessed as Level One. In time, hopefully a short time, we expect that that Level One will allow people to meet in each others homes in groups of up to six people from a maximum two households.
“However, at present on clear public health advice the restriction on public meetings will continue in all parts of the country for now.
“I am conscious that in our more rural and island communities that restriction can cause particular difficulties so we will review the necessity of it in level one areas at the November 10 review.”
