These are the reasons you can leave home during Scotland's new lockdown

The Scottish Government has released a list of ‘reasonable’ excuses that allow Scots to leave their home during the national lockdown starting from midnight. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Jan 5, 2021 Good morning, And so it begins. Day one of a new national lockdown affecting the entirety of mainland Scotland. Unlike March, we now have an end in sight in the form of the vaccines. We'll get through this. Before we get to today's headlines, please consider supporting our journalism and getting full access to the news important to you, as well as free [puzzles]( and fewer ads with a digital subscription. [Join us today from just £3 a month.]( The reasons that allow people to leave home In no uncertain terms the Scottish Government [has urged Scots to "stay at home"]( once again, as a new national lockdown was deployed for mainland Scotland at midnight last night. By law, in a level four area, a person can only leave their home or garden for an essential purpose. Authorities [have released a list of ‘reasonable’ excuses that allow Scots to leave their home]( during the national lockdown starting from midnight. New rules explained So what will these new restrictions mean? Most of us in Scotland have already been living under level four restrictions - the highest level aside from a national lockdown. But the new measures come with some significant changes to our way of life. One of the most major being schools will remain closed until February in an attempt to curb the spread of the new [coronavirus strain.]( Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules and [how they affect parents, businesses, vulnerable people, travel. exercise and more.]( Tributes pour in for Scottish teen boxing star A talented teenage boxer and footballer[sadly died at the start of 2021 leaving family and friends shocked and grief stricken.]( Tributes have been filling up social media for former St Mungo’s High School pupil Scott Martin, a youngster who was loved by everyone he met. Mum Samantha said: “He was a lovely boy. Everyone who met him just loved him. He was one of a kind – an absolute superstar who accomplished so much in a short time. [Read the full story here.]( 'Reboot your brain' There’s no doubt that 2020 was difficult for everyone and tragic for many. But now vaccines against Covid-19 are finally being administered. Even with this new lockdown, unlike March we have much needed hope of a return to normality and a happy 2021. However, months of anxiety, grief and loneliness can easily create a spiral of negativity that is hard to break out of. We must look after ourselves. [Here are six evidenced-based ways to change our brains for the better.]( Thanks for reading, stay safe, [Sam Shedden](, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [The reasons that allow people to leave home during Scottish Covid lockdown]( The Scottish Government has released a list of ‘reasonable’ excuses that allow Scots to leave their home during the national lockdown starting from midnight. [{$escapedtitle}]( [Article Image]( ['He had the heart of a lion and was as tough as nails' - Tributes pour in for Scottish teen boxing star Scott Martin]( A talented teenage boxer and footballer sadly died at the start of 2021 leaving family and friends shocked and grief stricken. [Article Image]( [Christmas Gift Guide 2020: great ideas to delight people of all ages, for all budgets]( We’ve rounded up presents to please everybody, be it a secret Santa gift or a luxury present to spoil your beloved. Here are all of our Christmas gift guides for 2020 in one place. Promoted by The Scotsman [Article Image]( [Coronavirus in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon in 'stay at home' plea as Scotland's new lockdown begins]( Mainland Scotland has entered a new national lockdown with stringent measures coming into force from midnight. [Article Image]( [Six ways to 'reboot your brain' after a hard year of Covid-19 – according to science]( There’s no doubt that 2020 was difficult for everyone and tragic for many. But now vaccines against Covid-19 are finally being administered, giving a much needed hope of a return to normality and a happy 2021. [Article Image]( [MP Margaret Ferrier arrested and charged over alleged coronavirus regulation breach]( Former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier has been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct over an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations in September. [Article Image]( [Scottish health chief says government should not 'break promise' of second vaccine dose plan]( A top health chief in Scotland is calling on the government to ensure the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine will be “promised” to those who have already made appointments after plans were made to delay it. [Article Image]( [Coronavirus: Scottish care home visits remain restricted]( Families hoping to visit elderly residents in care homes will face tougher restrictions, Nicola Sturgeon has said. [Dave Lewis]( [Garage opening during lockdown - what you need to know if your car needs repairs]( The near-constant change in guidance and rules around Covid-19 restrictions is causing confusion for many people. Different parts of the UK have different limits on movement and rules for which businesses are allowed to remain open. [Dave Lewis]( [These vintage toys could be worth millions - including Barbie dolls and Disney VHS tapes]( While many may scramble to get the latest console or a brand new Lego set, the most valuable toys may actually be those that have been sitting in your storage since childhood [Dave Lewis]( [Scotland is only country in UK and Ireland to escape golf lockdown]( Scotland is the only country in the UK and Ireland with its golf courses still open after England joined Ireland and Wales in seeing the game placed back into a full Covid-19 lockdown. [Dave Lewis]( [Rangers target offered 'record' deal, Desmond backs Lennon, Former Celtic midfielder free to go, Hibs lure MLS defender, Old Firm target wants move - Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill]( Football looks set to be given a lockdown reprieve after the latest Government restrictions were announced. [Dave Lewis]( [Deputy First Minister John Swinney questions Celtic Dubai trip as Scottish Government ask SFA to look into it]( Deputy First Minister John Swinney has questioned Celtic’s decision to take a mid-season trip to Dubai. [Dave Lewis]( [Hibs 2016 Scottish Cup final hero Conrad Logan offers hand in goalkeeper crisis]( Hibs boss Jack Ross faces a goalkeeping dilemma with Dillon Barnes recalled by Queen’s Park Rangers after standing in for Ofir Marciano. [View more news]( You have received this email as you are opted in to newsletters from The Scotsman, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please [click here]( and log in to your account. Alternatively you can [update]( your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive from JPIMedia Publishing Ltd, or [unsubscribe]( from all future emails. 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