CURRENT rules around social distancing, table service and mask wearing in Renfrewshire’s pubs and restaurants are to remain in place, despite some other restrictions being eased.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave an update on the Covid crisis yesterday afternoon and confirmed that the 500-person cap on outdoor events in Scotland will be lifted from Monday.

The restriction, put in place in December, is being removed but the vaccine passport scheme will be strengthened.

Event organisers will now be asked to review 50% or 1,000 vaccine passports of attendees, whichever figure is higher.

The definition of fully-vaccinated as pertains to the certification scheme will also be updated from Monday to mean those who are eligible for a third dose and have received it.

The removal of further restrictions across Scotland will be considered in the next week, Ms Sturgeon said.

However, limits on indoor events, table service in hospitality and social distancing in public places will remain until at least Monday, January 24.

Ms Sturgeon added: “The situation in Scotland just now is undoubtedly serious but perhaps less so than it might have been and there are also some signs that we may be starting to turn a corner.

“I have already explained the uncertainties in the data which mean that the picture is not yet as clear as we would like it to be and, of course, we do not yet know what impact the post-Christmas return to work and school will have on the level of infection.

“What we do know is that staff absences resulting from high levels of infection are causing disruption in the economy and in critical services and that the NHS remains under very severe pressure indeed.

“Continuing transmission therefore remains a vital imperative.”