Scotland has entered Phase Three of the Covid-19 lifting of lockdown restrictions.

The latest changes include:

• Mandatory wearing of face masks in shops in Scotland.
• The re-opening of cafes, bars and restaurants with social distancing.
• Larger groups up to 4 different households can meet outside, with no more than 15 people in total, and with physical distancing in place.
• You can also meet people from up to 2 other households at a time indoors, but with no more than 8 people in total and with physical distancing.

Other measures and support mechanisms include: 

• The £1,000 Job Retention Bonus.
• The Kickstarter Scheme for people aged between 16 and 24.
• Cuts to VAT on goods and services provided by the tourism and hospitality sectors.
• The Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
• Additional support for the creative sector.
• The closure of the Newly Self-employed Hardship Fund and applications for various business support grants on 10 July.
• The closure of applications to the Bounce Back Loan Scheme on 4 November.
• The closure of the fund to support small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders with liquidity issues on 29 June.