image captionThe majority of papers in Scotland lead with the news that almost all of the country’s remaining Covid-19 restrictions are to end from 9 August. Nicola Sturgeon called the move beyond level zero “perhaps the most significant date” of the pandemic, reports the i.
image captionHowever, the Metro’s headline echoes the first minister’s warning – that the pandemic is far from over and it would be “premature” to declare freedom. The paper also highlights that some restrictions will remain – including the wearing of face masks in schools and some public places.
image captionSocial distancing will be dropped in most settings, meaning more capacity in pubs and restaurants and larger crowds at sporting events and concerts, reports the Press and Journal. The paper notes that large scale events will have to apply for permission to go ahead, but nightclubs can open once more.
image captionThe Mail’s headline declares “freedom” but calls the remaining restrictions “small print”, saying 9 August will not mean a return back to pre-Covid life. When questioned by MSPs, Ms Sturgeon refused to rule out a future lockdown or travel ban if lives were at risk, the paper reports.
image captionThe Courier makes comparisons with the lifting of restrictions in England last month which the press hailed as “Freedom Day”. The paper highlights that positive cases in Scotland continue to rise and the first minister said this demonstrated the need for a “careful and steady approach” to easing restrictions.
image captionScottish businesses have “mixed feelings” about the news as they face a “cocktail of elation and worry”, according to the Herald. While some feel the move provides a “much-needed platform” to help the economy recover, others say they are “confused” by the continued advice to work from home, the paper reports.
image caption“Cheers and fears” is how the Scotsman sums up the reaction from hospitality sector. The paper quotes chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce Dr Liz Cameron who said many businesses believed all restrictions would be lifted – and that businesses need “more clarity” on how long the rules will continue.
image captionThe Edinburgh Evening News gives a flavour of how nightlife will proceed in the short term, picturing people holding pints while wearing face coverings – and having a “masked ball”. The paper says the lifting of restrictions will see more Edinburgh pubs operational after the Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated more than 200 across the country would open their doors for the first time since the pandemic started.
image captionThe Scottish Daily Express has a more critical take, saying the first minister has been accused of “clinging on” to people’s lives with the “indefinite” measure of mandatory face coverings. The paper says Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross questioned the timing of restrictions easing when his party had been calling for it for some time. However, Ms Sturgeon said the decision to lift restrictions had been made when it was “safe” to do so.
image captionSimilarly, the Telegraph reports the first minister has been accused of delivering a “confusing half-way house” in her speech on Tuesday. The paper’s lead story says that Iranian-backed forces are suspected of seizing an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman days after Tehran was blamed for an attack on another ship that killed a British crew member.
image captionThe Times says the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is expected to offer jabs for those aged 16 and 17 in a “significant move to build up immunity in young people”. Britain has sufficient reserves of vaccines to extend the programme with appointments set to begin within a fortnight, the paper reports.
image captionAway from Covid, the National reports the prime minister has declined to meet Ms Sturgeon at Bute House during his visit to Scotland. The invite sought “a discussion on the current Covid situation and our respective plans for recovery” and was made public on Monday afternoon, the paper says.
image captionThe Daily Record says drugs minister Angela Constance told MSPs Scotland will “defy Westminster” by opening drug consumption rooms. Ms Constance made a statement to MSPs after drug-related deaths in Scotland reached a new high.
image captionTwo convicted killers who were released from jail to attend their father’s funeral were banned last minute amid safety fears, according to the Scottish Sun.
image captionThe Glasgow Times leads with an interview of a woman living in Drumchapel whose home was flooded twice during heavy downpours. The paper says the woman is now afraid to leave the property after floodwater “reached her windowsill”.
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image captionA “serial thief” has been jailed after he was caught stealing cakes from an award-winning Aberdeen shop, reports the Evening Express
image captionAnd “don’t mess with our fish fingers”, exclaims the Daily Star, as it reports that a group of scientists want to use lab-produced fish in the teatime favourite.
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