ALL venues in Dunfermline and West Fife will be allowed to re-open on Monday after the latest lockdown easing was announced.
The whole of Scotland will no longer be under any level of Covid restrictions which means nightclubs such as Lourenzos, PJ Molloys and Life will finally be able to re-open.
Physical distancing will no longer be required in any social settings either indoors or outdoors so West Fifers will be allowed back on the dance floors – although masks will be required.
Calum Miller, from PJ Molloys, said it was the news they had been waiting for.
“We cannot wait to get back putting live music on again and having club nights till 3am,” he said.
“It is a huge relief after 18 months to have a clearer picture of moving forward and getting back to what we enjoy doing which is putting on live music.
“It will be a bit of a soft start – we will watch what we are doing and gradually get back out throughout August in terms of live music but from September, we are rammed with great acts right the way through."
He continued: “All the artists, everybody, is desperate for it to happen.
"I am happy not only for the businesses but I am so happy for all the artists, the sound engineers, everyone behind the scenes who have not been able to work throughout this period.
"It will be brilliant to get everyone back in.”
Calum is sure West Fifers will be delighted to make their way back through the doors of his and other venues after Monday.
“Any version of PJs that we have been allowed to open has been supported incredibly well whether that be the beer garden or limited service indoors,” he added.
“At every stage of it, everyone has been so supportive and everyone is desperate to come so I would fully expect when we get to open fully, that will happen.
"All customers are desperate to get back out.”
The relaxations will also be good news for theatres such as the Carnegie Hall and the Alhambra as it will mean many businesses are able to return to more standard operation, with places no longer limited by distancing regulations, allowing for more customers in venues.
Shops and other businesses should also see the benefits as Ewan MacDonald-Russell, from the Scottish Retail Consortium, explained: “Retailers will hope next week’s relaxation of Covid restrictions will spark a shopping recovery after a very difficult year.
"Removing restrictions such as physical distancing in shops and welcome changes on self-isolation rules, should simplify store operations.
"However, many retailers are likely to maintain some existing measures to keep customers and colleagues safe.
"Hopefully the changes for events and hospitality should give customers a good excuse to return to the high street to restock wardrobes and homes; albeit that may be tempered as there is no timeframe for workers to be encouraged back to the office."
Despite the move below Level 0, the Scottish Government continue to advise keeping a safe distance and avoiding crowded places. Baseline measures such as wearing face masks, continuing to advise homeworking where possible, collecting details for track and trace and travel restrictions will remain.
Rigorous hygiene, including regular hand washing, will continue to be essential.
Changes to isolation rules for people who have received both vaccinations will also start on Monday. If they are identified as a close contact of a positive case, they will not necessarily be required to isolate.
Instead, such individuals will be required to get a PCR test and isolate until the results come back. If their test is negative, they will no longer have to isolate.
A similar system will be in place for those aged 5-17, meaning full school bubbles will not need to isolate and fewer youngsters will face missing out on important chunks of their education.
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