Stay local guidance
From 2 April, if you are in a level 4 area, you no longer need to stay at home unless you have an allowed purpose for going out. Instead we must stay local – this means there are now no restrictions on travel within your local authority, but you mustn’t leave your local authority area except for an allowed reason.
You can read the full stay local guidance on the gov.scot website, including the guidance on travel. You can see the Scottish Government’s timetable for easing restrictions here.
The number of households you and your children can meet with and where you can meet them depends on the COVID-19 protection level your area is in. You can find out which level you’re in using the checker here.
On this page you can find out more about:
Outdoor activities
How far can we travel when we go out?
How far can we travel when we go out?
Stay local
Under ‘stay local’ restrictions, you must stay within your local authority, unless you have an essential reason to leave. You can find out more at the gov.scot website.
Levels 0-2
If you live in an area in level 0-2 you mustn’t travel in and out of areas in levels 3 or 4 unless it’s essential. You should also try not to travel between areas in other levels as well.
Level 3
If you live in a level 3 area you mustn’t leave your local authority area unless it’s essential.
Level 4
If you live in a level 4 area you mustn’t leave your local authority area unless it’s essential and should try to travel within your local authority area as little as possible.
All levels
Essential reasons for travel include:
- work
- education (this includes travel for school, university and nursery, home education, training and school day trips)
- essential childcare
- if you are sharing parenting or in an extended household and you live in different local authority areas
- providing or receiving voluntary services
- children’s organised activities (including baby and toddler groups)
- accessing healthcare
- antenatal and postnatal classes.
You can find out more about travel restrictions and exemptions, travelling safely and using public transport on the Scottish Government website.
We should avoid car sharing with people outside an extended household unless it's essential.
Can I go shopping for non-essential items?
Can I go shopping for non-essential items?
Stay local
Only essential shops can stay open. Try to shop online or as close to home as you can, and to go shopping on your own if you can.
Levels 0-4
Unless you live in a level 4 area, non-essential shops can open. In level 4, only essential shops can stay open, although click and collect and outdoor retail is still permitted.
Whatever level your area is in, as you might expect, shopping isn't quite the same experience it was before coronavirus, as shops are putting safety measures into place. So for example you must maintain physical distancing, there may well be plexiglass screens at counters, signs and floor markings around the store, and you may have to queue outside. The Scottish Government has published guidance for retailers which help you understand the actions that stores should be taking. These measures are all being put in place to keep staff and customers safe.
All levels
As a customer there are some simple steps you and your family should follow to make your shopping experience safe and enjoyable.
- You must wear a face covering when you go into a shop unless there’s a medical reason not to. Children under 5 don’t need to wear a face covering.
- Shop local, and don’t travel any further than necessary.
- Be prepared for shopping to take a little bit longer than usual and understand that you may need to queue for longer as a result. If it’s sunny, make sure you’ve got sunscreen on, and avoid smoking while you’re queuing.
- Maintain physical distancing from other customers and staff where possible and always follow any one way systems in place.
- Use click and collect facilities or online delivery if you can.
- Shop in as small a group as possible.
- Try to avoid busy times and crowded areas. If you see a store is busy, try to come back another time.
- Use hand sanitiser if it’s provided and always wash your hands when you get home.
- Be considerate to retail staff and follow their instructions. Remember that they’re working in challenging circumstances.
- Be prepared to show ID for age-restricted products and possible removal of face coverings if requested.
- Try not to touch things if you’re not considering buying them.
- If using a disposable face covering, after use please dispose of this hygienically in a bin.
Can I go to a restaurant or café?
Can I go to a restaurant or café?
Stay local
Restaurants, cafés and pubs are closed, but take away is still permitted.
Levels 0-4
Depending on the level your area is in, there may be measures relating to when restaurants and cafés can open and what they can serve. Visit the Scottish Government website to find out more. If you are visiting a café or restaurant, remember you should stick to the following steps to ensure you stay safe and protect others:
- Follow the rules about meeting other households in your area.
- Stick to physical distancing rules.
- Wear a face covering when you're moving around the restaurant or café (you don't need to wear one when you're eating or drinking).
- Book in advance if you can and avoid busy times, as crowds make physical distancing difficult.
- Try not to touch shared surfaces.
- Pay attention to all signs and listen to staff.
- Provide your contact details to help support Test and Protect.