Covid in Scotland: Crowd restrictions lifted for outdoor events

Fans arriving in Glasgow faced a higher level of vaccine passport checks

Large outdoor public events such as football matches can take place again after some of Scotland's Covid restrictions were relaxed.

The Celtic vs Hibs match in Glasgow was the first test of revised rules which require the vaccine certification of at least 50% of attendees to be checked.

Restrictions on indoor sports, events and venues remain in place.

But Holyrood will be updated on Tuesday as to when these will be removed.

Nicola Sturgeon has previously said she is hopeful that the restrictions on indoor events can be lifted on 24 January.

As well as the changes to outdoor events, the definition of "fully vaccinated" for the purpose of vaccine passports has changed and now includes having a booster if the second dose was more than four months ago.

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Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said the latest data indicates "encouraging signs of progress".

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the full effect of schools returning and the increased socialising that brings remains to be seen.

But Sir Gregor added: "At this moment in time I am feeling quite optimistic."

On the return of football he urged fans to be wary of shared transport and going somewhere before the game.

The chief medical officer highlighted the importance of taking a lateral flow beforehand, avoiding "choke points" in the stadium and wearing a face covering.

He also warned it was too early to "big bold steps" such as reported plans to scrap self isolation.

Fans have become used to vaccine passports checks. It was the inconvenience most were willing to accept to get back through the turnstiles after a year of being locked out during lockdown.

Now, after a three week winter break, they're being asked once again to provide proof, not only of double vaccination but also of a booster jag.

Spot checks will increase and that could potentially lead to longer queues but it was the trade off between sport and government to get things moving again.

With Covid figures looking more positive, the hope is that we've seen the last of fans being locked out. If nothing else, the restrictions have served as a stark reminder of the importance of spectators to the sporting experience.

The clicking sound of the turnstiles, for thousands across the country, will be the welcome sound of normality.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster told BBC Scotland that bringing the winter break forward for top-flight clubs to coincide with the three-week crowd restrictions was a gamble that had paid off.

About 60,000 fans were expected at Monday's game.

He said: "Football really is nothing without the fans as we have seen with some games effectively played behind closed doors.

"It doesn't work for anyone; financially for the clubs and from a fan point of view.

"I sincerely hope we have seen the back of these restrictions and look forward to the fans returning."

The hospitality trade has been required to introduce a raft of changes as part of the latest Covid restrictions which are in force until at least 24 January

All outdoor events have been limited to just 500 people for the last three weeks as part of a raft of measures to help slow the spread of Omicron variant.

In recent days, a slowdown in infection rates has given experts "cause for optimism" that the country might be over the worse of the infection surge.

But the number of Covid patients in hospital remains high and staff shortages as a result of the pandemic are putting pressure on the NHS and social care services.

Prof Helen Colquhoun told Good Morning Scotland that it was "entirely appropriate" that the restrictions were lifted.

The University of Edinburgh public health expert said the translation of cases to hospital numbers was not as bad as feared last month and described the current wave as "mild".

She believes the Scottish government should now focus on protecting the vulnerable and promoting the booster campaign while considering the "end game".

Watching closely

Prof Colquhoun said: "At the moment there is still very much an emphasis on keeping transmissions down because there remains concern about pressure on the NHS.

"But it's time to consider where we are really trying to get to at this stage as we move towards endemicity of the virus."

The hospitality trade will be closely watching the first minister's update to Holyrood on Tuesday.

Ms Sturgeon is expected to given an indication on when nightclubs will be able to reopen and when restrictions on hospitality venues - such as the need for table service and social distancing - will be relaxed.

The first minister may also give more detail on whether the vaccine passport scheme will be extended to more venues.

• RULES: What are the restrictions in Scotland?

• LOCKDOWN: Six months that changed our lives

• CASES: Where are the latest cases in Scotland?

• NUMBERS: Four key figures to watch out for