Covid 19 - What you need to know - Scotland follow suit on restrictions to social gatherings.

In her daily address today (Thursday 10th September), the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the number of people allowed to meet up in Scotland would be cut to 6 in an effort to curb Covid19 infection. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a "tightening and extension" of lockdown rules.

As with England, the new limits will officially come into force on Monday. Although not officially in force the Scottish government are asking people to immediately abide by the stricter new limits on gatherings. The change to permitted numbers of people who can meet follows a similar move announced for England on Wednesday.

Before these changes were announced, up to 8 people from 3 households were allowed to meet indoors in Scotland, and up to 15 from 5 households outdoors.

The reduction to 6 people from no more than 2 households will apply both indoors and outdoors including in homes, gardens, pubs and restaurants.

Children under the age of 12 will not count towards the total, no such distinction has been made in announcements relating to England.