The Scottish Government has announced which level of Covid-19 restrictions each local authority in Scotland will be placed into from Monday.

The levels have been graded from zero to four, with the toughest restrictions imposed at Level 4 – which the First Minister says will only be used when “absolutely necessary”.

It comes ahead of the new five-tier coronavirus system coming into force on Monday with Scots living under the new restrictions from 6am on November 2. 

Nicola Sturgeon has said that the tiers are Scotland’s best chance of avoiding another full-scale national lockdown.

They range from Levels 0-4, with the highest level, which includes restrictions similar to the full lockdown in March, only to be used if “absolutely necessary”.

People living in Level 3 or Level 4 areas should not travel outside the local authority area they live in under the new system.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon reveals new coronavirus restrictions for different council areas

Levels 1, 2 and 3 are broadly comparable to the three tiers of restrictions in place in England.

Level 0 involves the loosest restrictions similar to those in place across Scotland in August when the virus was suppressed to very low levels.

Schools will remain open at all levels, with hygiene measures increasing depending on the tier.

HEALTH Coronavirus Scotland(PA Graphics)

Level 0

This is the closest to normality and will allow a maximum of eight people from three households to meet indoors and 15 people from five households to meet outside.

Restrictions on the tourism sector will be lifted and shops, hair and beauty businesses – except those who work in a mobile capacity – and public buildings will be open.

Hospitality businesses will be open, both indoors and outdoors, at normal licensing times, but socialising rules will apply.

Stadiums will be allowed to welcome restricted numbers of people, while outdoor public events and seated indoor events will also be permitted.

Places of worship will be open to up to 50 people, with the same limit on weddings and receptions as well as at funerals and wakes.

No council area has been placed in Level 0.

Coronavirus – Tue Oct 20, 2020There has been a rapid increase in positive Covid-19 cases (Peter Byrne/PA)

Level 1

Socialising is restricted to six people from two households inside and outside, with a further curb on events meaning only a small number of people will be seated indoors, with restricted numbers outside.

The number of people able to attend weddings or funerals and their associated events will be restricted to 20.

Amateur indoor sports among those over the age of 18 will not be allowed.

Hospitality businesses will be forced to close by 10.30pm, both inside and outside, with the last entry permitted at 9.30pm.

Councils in this area are:

  • Highland
  • Moray
  • Orkney
  • Shetland
  • Western Isles

Level 2

Measures will remain largely the same as in Level 1, however in-home socialising will be prohibited, barring some exceptions including caring for a vulnerable person.

Outdoor groups in public places will be limited to six people from two households.

Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls will be the only leisure facilities allowed to remain open, with soft play, funfairs, indoor bowling, casinos, theatres, snooker or pool halls, music venues, nightclubs and adult entertainment venues all closed.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon’s tier locations revealed

Only drive-in events will be permitted, with indoor, outdoor and stadium events cancelled.

Public buildings will impose protective measures while NHS services will reduce face-to-face contact with patients.

Indoor hospitality venues will also close from 8pm, with last entry at 7pm, and outdoor businesses will shut at 10.30pm.

Councils in this area are:

  • Aberdeen
  • Aberdeenshire
  • Angus
  • Argyll & Bute
  • Borders
  • Dumfries & Galloway
  • Fife
  • Perth & Kinross

Level 3

Socialising rules will remain the same as in Level 2, with guidance issued for only essential hotel use.

Drive-in events will no longer be permitted and cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will also be closed.

Indoor exercise will be limited to individual workouts, with outdoor contact sports for those over the age of 18 banned, except professional sports.

Hospitality businesses will be prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6pm with last entry at 5pm.

Councils in this area are:

  • Glasgow City
  • Renfrewshire
  • East Renfrewshire
  • East Dunbartonshire
  • West Dunbartonshire
  • East Ayrshire
  • North Ayrshire
  • South Ayrshire
  • South Lanarkshire
  • North Lanarkshire
  • Inverclyde
  • City of Edinburgh
  • Midlothian
  • East Lothian
  • West Lothian
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Falkirk
  • Stirling
  • Dundee

Level 4

This is the toughest set of restrictions and closely resembles the full lockdown restrictions seen in March.

While socialising will stay the same as Level 3, non-essential retail will be closed and the limit on numbers at weddings will drop to 20, along with the number allowed in places of worship.

Formal childcare will be subjected to “targeted intervention”, while informal childcare will only be allowed for the children of key workers.

Gyms will again be closed and outdoor sport will be limited to non-contact only, though professional sport will continue.

Essential work, outdoor work or those who have a job in construction and manufacturing will be the only sectors allowed to continue, with everyone else recommended to work from home.

All hospitality will be closed.

No council has been placed in Level 4 restrictions.