What Scotland's Level 4 COVID restrictions means for golfers
Areas of Scotland will move into the highest level of restrictions on Friday, but what does that mean for golfers?
As of Friday at 6pm, 11 local authorities in Scotland will move into Level 4 of the country's coronavirus lockdown restrictions - the highest possible level - but what does that means for golfers?
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the following areas would move into Level 4: the City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.
These areas will move into the highest level of restrictions for a "strictly limited period" and it means that bars, restaurants, gyms, hairdressers and visitor attractions will be closed, but school will remain open.
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All leisure and entertainment premises will also shut, but the good news for golfers in that unlike the previous national lockdown, golf courses will be able to remain open.
Other outdoor non-contact sports have also been permitted, while those who live in Level 4 areas will still be able to meet others outdoors for informal exercise or sport.
The restrictions also allow up to two households in groups no larger than six to meet in a private garden or public place, although how this rule applies to the golf course is yet to be confirmed.
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Scottish locals were also asked to keep travelling to a minimum as it could cause other areas to enter Level 4 of the restrictions.
The First Minister said: “To put it bluntly – and we will require to monitor this – if we see evidence that people from East or South Ayrshire are visiting places in North Ayrshire, or that people from Glasgow are going to Inverclyde, we would have no choice but to put these areas in level four too.
“So it is essential that we all abide by travel restrictions.
“To underline how important this is, I can confirm that the guidance that has been in place in recent weeks will become law from Friday.”
