Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making - Scotland's route map through and out of the crisis

21st May 2020

The route map gives an indication of the order in which we will carefully and gradually seek to change current restrictions. It provides practical examples of what people, organisations and businesses can expect to see change over time. The phasing table will continue to be updated.

Published: 21 May 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making - Scotland's route map through and out of the crisis

We all want to get back to some semblance of normality - whether that's seeing our friends and family, getting back to work or school, or just being able to spend our free time in the way we want to.

This document sets out the steps that will take us there. It doesn't have all the answers and it doesn't set exact timescales. That’s because we are still learning about the virus. We will have to move carefully and gradually to ensure we keep it under control and develop the best ways of doing so.

Too many people have lost their lives to this disease already and we cannot risk another peak - most importantly because that would mean more deaths but also because it would mean another lockdown.

This week we have also seen what the hard work of lockdown has achieved, with a continuing fall in the number of deaths and in the number of people in intensive care.

But we know the lockdown is doing harm of its own. It is causing loneliness and social isolation, deepening inequalities and damaging the economy.

None of us want it to last any longer than it has to.

So we are setting out the phases by which we will aim to ease lockdown. They are gradual and incremental and will be matched with careful monitoring of the virus. We may, at times, need to hit the brakes on easing. However, it may also be that we are able to ease restrictions faster than we initially thought that we could.

Read the 46 page document HERE