Lockdown is over for most of us, and it has now been nearly four months since Scotland first entered lockdown to protect itself from the spread of the coronavirus. People are starting to wonder when it will all be back to normal. Yes, most things will be getting back to the way they were, but some things will still not change for a very long time. Before lockdown, we enjoyed going out to cinemas, theatres, galleries and more fun places to entertain ourselves, but since Covid 19 a lot has changed and some things might not change back.

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On 24 June, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the next steps in the phased map out of lockdown. During her speech, the First Minister said that, as part of phase two, outdoor activities and facilities such as outdoor sports courts, playgrounds, zoos and garden attractions can reopen from 29 June, while the five-mile travel limit was lifted on 3 July.

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Inside theatres are not opening for now but cinemas and open-air cinemas and theatres were allowed to reopen in June, with some restrictions. Museums reopening is part of phase three in the plan. The news is that museums and galleries reopened in the middle of July / start of august. Places that are inside, like libraries will take longer to get back to normal. Going to the beach or the park is a great way to entertain yourself. Now the guidelines have said that you can stay and enjoy a picnic! Finally, because this was something that I was looking forward to!

Going to a pub is now allowed in Scotland, as of 15 July, although in England the pub restrictions were almost fully lifted a while ago. Lastly, gathering indoors in groups of more than two households is allowed. This includes when dining out or going to the pub!

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So thankfully things seem to be going back to the way they were, however there will be bumps in the road, such as the return to partial lockdown we have seen in Aberdeen. Just a little longer and we can get back to our lives…