top of page
  • Writer's pictureIain

COVID: Changes to Gatherings Rule

The number of people who can gather together, indoors or outdoors, will be set at maximum of six from two households.


Moves announced today by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be enforced from Monday (14 September), but people are urged to ‘abide by these stricter new limits immediately.’

Moves announced today by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be enforced from Monday (14 September), but people are urged to ‘abide by these stricter new limits immediately.’


Children under 12 from within the two households will not be counted in the new limit of six people. The restrictions do not apply where there is other sector specific guidance in force, for example for gyms, for childcare or for organised sports, and there will be some other limited exceptions for larger households, education, and places of worship. It does apply to hospitality.


Along with these new measures, the First Minister also confirmed that Scotland will not move out of Phase 3.


As a result of a rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) infections, route map changes that had been given a conditional, indicative start date of Monday (14 September) – conditional on progress against the epidemic – have now been given the new indicative date of Monday 5 October. A final decision will be taken nearer the time on confirming this new indicative date.


Measures announced today are:

  • group gatherings will only be allowed to a maximum of six people from two households in both indoor and outdoor settings, with limited exemptions (becoming law from Monday 14 September)

  • face coverings must be worn in hospitality settings, apart from during the service of food and drink, with hospitality staff following the similar rules as retail staff (from Monday 14 September)

  • up to 20 people will still be able to attend funerals, weddings and civil partnerships ceremonies, with the limit permitted for wakes and receptions rising to 20 in line with this, as long as they take place in regulated venues like hotels with strict guidance in place (from Monday 14 September)

  • route map moves expected from Monday (14 September) are given a new indicative date of Monday 5 October

bottom of page