First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government was temporarily keeping some mitigations in place when most legal Covid-19 regulations are removed from next Monday; application required for outdoor events with more than 5,000 spectators
Wednesday 4 August 2021 16:23, UK
Sporting bodies and clubs will have to continue applying for permission to host major crowds despite Scotland moving beyond Level 0 of coronavirus restrictions.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government was temporarily keeping some mitigations in place when most legal Covid-19 regulations are removed from next Monday.
Sturgeon said: "While we expect to see the careful return of large-scale events we will, for a limited period, keep in place the processes through which organisers of outdoor events of more than 5,000 and indoor events of more than 2,000 will have to apply for permission.
"This is allowing us and local authorities simply to be reassured of the arrangements to be in place to reduce the risk of large-scale gatherings."
Jason Leitch, national clinical director of the Scottish Government, added: "The move beyond level 0 is hard-earned and the sacrifices everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated.
"While this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck.
"We will, for a limited period, keep in place a process through which organisers of outdoors events of more than 5000 will have to apply to their local authority for permission.
"We recognise the ongoing challenge this will pose in some cases, but believe that this cautious approach will allow us and local authorities to be assured of the arrangements in place to reduce risks, building towards fuller capacities over the coming weeks. We will continue to keep the guidance under close review."
Current restrictions remain in place for this weekend's fixtures, which mean clubs need to apply to local authorities for permission to host crowds of more than 2,000.
Celtic will host 24,500 fans for their Premiership game against Dundee on Saturday.
However, it is understood Glasgow City Council would be unlikely to say no to Rangers and Celtic having full capacity crowds from August 9 when remaining coronavirus restrictions are eased.
