Aberdeen City Council get ready to ease lockdown restrictions

Aberdeen City Council is gearing up to lift some lockdown restrictions from Thursday.

The Scottish Government is set to announce the move to phase one of lifting Covid-19 restrictions this week.

This means that people will be able to use public outdoor spaces for recreational purposes and outdoor workplaces will be allowed to resume with social distancing measures in place.

In addition, planning for the schools returning will also start, along with the gradual resumption of key support services in the community.

Council officers have been working behind the scenes to prepare for a move into Phase 1, although not all measures will necessarily be introduced immediately as further government guidance is developed.

The plans range from reinstating the re-opening of recycling centres to updating parents and carers about the scheduled reopening of schools in August.

Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: “Since the route map was announced on May 21, officers have been working tirelessly to plan for the safe transition to Phase 1.

“While we await official confirmation of the start of the easing of lockdown – and details around what exactly that will mean – we are finalising our own arrangements in line with government guidance.

“Details of any changes will be shared with the public on our website from Thursday.

“Public health and wellbeing remains the priority and we are looking for residents to support us on this very gradual and delicate journey.”

And his colleague, co-leader Jenny Laing said: “Even with the easing of restrictions, not all services will necessarily resume to pre-Covid-19 arrangements as we move through the phases.

“We may have to make adaptations in order to operate safely and within current and evolving government guidance, and like many other organisations  consider more widely how we operate as emerge from the pandemic.

“Aberdeen is ready to move into Phase 1 – but in a manner that remains safe for staff and customers. Priority will be given to those critical and statutory functions, and everyone has a duty to remain focused on physical distancing.”