Angie Brown
Edinburgh and East reporter

Image source, Alan McGuiggan

The general manager of one of the most prestigious five star hotels in Scotland said he was implementing coronavirus regulations behind the scenes so guests could feel normal again during their stay.

Alan McGuiggan, of Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh, which has five red stars, said guests would not be aware of all the work to fumigate rooms that was going on behind the scenes.

Mr McGuiggan has spent £4,000 on ecostatic foggers to sanitise rooms after each guest's stay at the 23 bedroom hotel.

He also has installed a £2,000 thermal recorder to read guests temperatures at the door.

Mr McGuiggan said: "I have received a lot of calls from people asking if their trip would feel normal as they didn't want to come otherwise.

"Apart from having their temperature taken at the door and some rules given to them they will feel absolutely like it is a normal trip and they don't have to wear masks."

Image source, Alan McGuiggan

• There have been no Covid-19 deaths in preceding 24 hours for seventh day in row
• Weekly NRS figures, external show 4,187 deaths now confirmed linked to Covid-19 which is up 13 - this includes deaths without a positive test
• There were three days with no Covid admissions to hospital last week
• The first minister highlights the importance of the Test and Protect system as a Scottish government paper on surveillance of the virus is published, external

Image source, bbc

• Todaymarks the biggest step out of lockdown for Scotland so farwith the "highest risk changes" says Nicola Sturgeon
• She calls for "hyper-vigilance" from the public as lockdown eases
• On Care Home Day 2020, the first minister thanks all who work in homes for going “above and beyond the call of duty”
• The economy secretary calls for UK furlough scheme to be extended and will outline employment support plan to Holyrood tomorrow
• Fiona Hyslop also confirms construction sector can move into the next phase of easing lockdown restrictions and a cut to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax begins
• The first minister exclusively reveals she will go to a hairdresser very soon!

Image source, PA Media

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not only for the first time promised an "independent inquiry" into how the UK has responded to the coronavirus pandemic but rejected the claim that, amid it all, the government has implementing a "power grab" because of Brexit.

In our post-Brexit world, the Scottish and UK government’s are arguing about the powers that will return from Brussels.

They can’t quite agree on things like who gets to decide food standards.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford accused the Prime Minister of a power grab and a hostile agenda against devolution.

Not so, said the Prime Minister, who said there should be celebrations at the number of powers that will be transferred to the Scottish government.

Image source, WWW.LOCHNESS.COM

Phase 3 of Scotland's route map out of lockdown begins its most eagerly awaited chapter today as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and barbers are allowed to reopen.

Museums, galleries and monuments can open with public health measures and booking in place.

After months, worshippers can now gather in congregations again, with physical distancing.

The measures follow recent developments such as the introduction of compulsory face coverings in shops and the lifting of restrictions on meeting people from other households indoors.

So what can we now do - and what are the rules?

Read more here

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

It's the biggest relaxation since lockdown began. Scots can now eat inside a restaurant...

Go for a beer...

Image source, bbc

and get a hair cut...

Image source, PA Media

It's been seven days of no deaths reported where a person is confirmed to have had COVID-19, but Nicola Sturgeon says we must still remain hyper-vigilant and follow the rules rigidly.

Drivetime will be be chatting to business owners around the country about their new normal.

Image source, Getty Images

The number of guests at funerals has been increased as Scotland's coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Now, up to 20 people can attend - excluding staff.

However, this could be reduced so venues can accommodate physical distancing between households.

With the change came new advice from the Scottish government, external about what mourners should do to manage the risk of coronavirus.

Grieving families are urged not to delay funeral services, as the current guidance is expected to remain in place for the "foreseeable future", it said.

After the funeral service, mourners are asked not to hold large gatherings.

Instead, gatherings should remain in line with current restrictions on meeting up with others, external.

For now, that means indoor gatherings should be limited to two households with a maximum of eight people present. You should continue to stay 2m apart from those outwith your own household.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon has hailed a "really significant milestone" after Scotland recorded three days with no coronavirus cases admitted to hospitals last week.

The first minister said the virus was being driven to "really low levels".

For the seventh day in a row no deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been registered.

However, wider figures showed the virus had been mentioned on13 death certificates in the week to Sunday, externalas a suspected or underlying cause of death.

Ms Sturgeon said people should be "hyper vigilant" and "stick rigidly to the rules" to avoid any new outbreaks, admitting she was nervous about the latest easing of virus restrictions.

• Read more here
• Scotland sees biggest relaxation of lockdown rules

Angie Brown
Edinburgh and East reporter

Cinemas can reopen in Scotland, but very few will.

Alastair Cameron, owner of the Dominion Cinema in Edinburgh, which is the oldest cinema in Scotland, said he was unable to reopen until about mid-August.

He said: "The only product which is available at the moment is older films and our thoughts and feelings are that we need new films for our patrons to enjoy.

"If we opened and could not attract much business then we would have to close again so we need to wait until there is a new film released. I have my eye on Tenet, a $200m film, which looks good."

Mr Cameron has removed 60 seats from his cinema for social distancing.

Angie Brown
Edinburgh and East reporter

Image source, Iain Ponton

Iain Ponton, owner of Oz Bar in Edinburgh's Grassmarket, said he was allowing 50 people into his pub - half its normal capacity.

He said: "I'm a bit nervous as I'm not sure how it is going to go but every thing is now in place to receive customers.

"I have had new toilets installed and upgraded the cleaning regime. All my staff are trained on the rules and regulations and we have masks for customers who want them.

"There is a board outside with the rules and regulations and we will be asking people to email us so we have their email details.

"It's been a big challenge and a new experience for us."

Graeme Ogston
Tayside and Central Reporter

A Dundee pub is one of a number of businesses able to seat customers outside for the first time.

Union Street has been temporarily closed to general traffic in order to give employers a helping hand after the restrictions on pubs and cafes were lifted.

The Bank Bar licensee Paul Russell said the move was a "massive, massive help."

He added: "We’ve managed to get the license through in seven days and it’s a first for us, so we’ll just have to see how it goes."

• There have been no Covid-19 deaths in preceding 24 hours for seventh day in row
• Weekly NRS figures, external show 4,187 deaths now confirmed linked to Covid-19 which is up 13 - this includes deaths without a positive test
• There were three days with no Covid admissions to hospital last week
• The first minister highlights the importance of the Test and Protect system as a Scottish government paper on surveillance of the virus is published, external
• Today marks the biggest step out of lockdown for Scotland so far with the "highest risk changes" says Nicola Sturgeon
• She calls for "hyper-vigilance" from the public as lockdown eases
• On Care Home Day 2020, the first minister thanks all who work in homes for going “above and beyond the call of duty”
• The economy secretary calls for UK furlough scheme to be extended and will outline employment support plan to Holyrood tomorrow
• Fiona Hyslop also confirms construction sector can move into the next phase of easing lockdown restrictions and a cut to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax begins
• The first minister exclusively reveals she will go to a hairdresser very soon!

Image source, SPL

The first minister is asked by Chris Musson from The Sun why the Scottish government has shelved its anti-junk food legislation until after the 2021 election. It comes at a time when obesity is linked to the risk of death from Covid-19 and the UK government is considering similar moves.

Nicola Sturgeon replies that is simply down to the lack of parliamentary time, which has been disrupted by the pandemic.