Key developments in the pandemic in Scotland
Below is a list of some of the key developments during the pandemic in Scotland that may be useful to reference in discussions. A text version is available below the visual graphic.
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Some key developments for discussion
January 2020:
- First COVID-19 cases confirmed in the UK.
March 2020:
- First case of COVID-19 confirmed in Scotland.
- The World Health Organisation declares a pandemic.
- First confirmed death of a patient in Scotland with COVID-19.
- First national lockdown begins.
May 2020:
- Test and Protect launches.
- Two households can meet outdoors.
July 2020:
- Care home residents can meet one person outdoors.
- Shops, dentists, hairdressers, pubs, cinemas and places of worship open.
August 2020:
- Pupils return to school.
September 2020:
- New restrictions on household visits begin.
October 2020:
- Care home residents can receive indoor visits - six people from two households permitted.
November 2020:
- Local levels system begins in Scotland.
- Areas are put into different restriction levels depending on how many people have COVID in the area or region.
December 2020:
- First vaccinations administered in Scotland.
- Tightening of Christmas restrictions announced.
January 2021:
- Second full lockdown for Scotland.
March 2021:
- All pupils return to classrooms for the first time in 2021.
April/May 2021:
- Some restrictions are removed, including reopening of certain venues, one person can visit someone in hospital, two households can meet indoors.
July 2021:
- Four households can meet indoors.
- Physical distancing indoors reduces to one metre.
September 2021:
- COVID booster vaccination programme launched.
November 2021:
- First cases of Omicron are identified in Scotland.
April 2022:
- Face coverings no longer required in most places.
- Most people without symptoms do not have to take tests.
- Test centres close and contact tracing ends.
May 2022:
- Shielding list ends.
