Nicola Sturgeon’s first haircut of 2021 as Scotland’s salons, DIY stores and garden centres reopen

Getting my HolyROOTS done! Nicola Sturgeon enjoys her first haircut of the year at Edinburgh salon as Scotland’s hairdressers, DIY stores and garden centres reopen after lockdown

  • First Minister visited Edinburgh’s Beehive Hair and Make-up for appointment
  • She praised today as a ‘happy day’ as easing of restrictions gets under way
  • Hairdressers in England cannot reopen until April 12 with beer gardens and gyms

Nicola Sturgeon praised her ‘happy day’ as she made the most of the easing of restrictions in Scotland by visiting a salon in Edinburgh for a haircut.

The First Minister was among those to book an appointment as businesses including hairdressers, DIY stores and garden centres in Scotland reopened for the first time in three months.

Ms Sturgeon kept her face mask on for the trip to Beehive Hair and Make-up in Scotland to have her tresses seen to, during campaigning for the Scottish Parliamentary election.

Nicola Sturgeon grins as her hair was seen to by Julie McGuire at Beehive Hair and Make-up 

Delighted with her visit, the 50-year-old posted an image of herself in the chair on Instagram and said: ‘Happy day.’

Later she told Heart FM: ‘This is a really positive step on our journey through Covid and hopefully now out of lockdown

‘These are reasonably cautious steps getting hairdressers opened again which I’m personally very happy about as I’m sure many people are too, starting the reopening of retail

It’s really positive, it gives everybody a feeling of optimism. We have to stay focused on that forward momentum.’

Later she joined the SNP’s Ben Macpherson for a takeaway coffee.

The First Minister described the reopening of some businesses as giving people 'a feeling of optimism'

The First Minister described the reopening of some businesses as giving people ‘a feeling of optimism’ 

Nicola Sturgeon later tweeted about her 'happy day' after visiting the salon for her first haircut of 2021

Nicola Sturgeon later tweeted about her ‘happy day’ after visiting the salon for her first haircut of 2021

Scotland's hairdressers got back to work today after three months unable to work as restrictions started to be eased

Scotland’s hairdressers got back to work today after three months unable to work as restrictions started to be eased

He tweeted: ‘A socially distant catch up with @NicolaSturgeon & some sunshine on #Leith with superb coffees from @toastleith – one of many brilliant small businesses locally & nationally that we in @theSNP are committed to supporting both through & out of the pandemic #persevere.’

It comes as hundreds of people queued outside Glasgow’s IKEA as Scotland’s DIY stores and garden centres opened.

Some non-essential shops can also reopen as Scotland continues its roadmap out of lockdown, including garden centres, homeware stores and click-and-collect services.

University and college students will also return for in-person teaching and outdoor contact sports for 12 to 17-year-olds will restart.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later joined SNP candidate Ben Macpherson and later got a takeaway coffee

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later joined SNP candidate Ben Macpherson and later got a takeaway coffee

People arrive to Pentland Plants in Edinburgh as hundreds of Scots rushed to take advantage of the easing of restrictions today

People arrive to Pentland Plants in Edinburgh as hundreds of Scots rushed to take advantage of the easing of restrictions today

Barber Maggie McGillivray trims Sam Rosenblom's hair at Tony Mann's Barber Shop in Giffnock near Glasgow

Barber Maggie McGillivray trims Sam Rosenblom’s hair at Tony Mann’s Barber Shop in Giffnock near Glasgow

The easing of restrictions is in contrast to England where hairdressers will not be able to open until April 12

The easing of restrictions is in contrast to England where hairdressers will not be able to open until April 12

Visits to hairdressers and barbers must be pre-booked in advance and customers flocked to get their long-awaited cuts as early as 6am across the country.

The easing of restrictions is in contrast to England where hairdressers will not be able to open until April 12.

England will also allow beer gardens and gyms to return to trading on April 12 – with Scotland not set to follow suit until two weeks later.

On Sunday, Scotland recorded 343 new coronavirus cases and no new deaths of Covid-19 patients.

A total of 2,553,837 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 451,057 have received their second dose.

The roadmap out of lockdown in the four home nations: Where are they now, and what’s coming next? 

SCOTLAND

Latest lockdown easing – From today (April 5)  barbers and hairdressers allowed to reopen alongside garden centres and homeware stores.

What’s coming next? – From April 26, beer gardens and gyms will be allowed to reopen. From May 17, cinemas will open their doors again and four people from two households can meet indoors. 

Infection/deaths – 219,986 total cases with 7,614 deaths.

ENGLAND

Latest lockdown easing – From March 29 up to six people from different households can meet outdoors and you can enjoy most outdoor sports. 

What’s coming next?  – Beer gardens and restaurants with outdoor dining can reopen. Non-essential retail venues can also reopen from April 12. May 17 will see easing of international travel restrictions as well as the return of indoor mixing. On June 21, all legal limits on social distancing will be axed. 

Infections/deaths: 3,812,188 total cases with 127,616 deaths.

WALES

Latest lockdown easing – From March 27 ‘Stay local’ rules scrapped and travel allowed within its borders. Six people from different households can meet indoors 

What’s coming next? – Travel between Wales and the rest of the UK will be allowed from April 12 and all non-essential shops will be allowed to open. From April 26, outdoor hospitality will be given the green light. Indoor mixing will be allowed from May 10.   

Infections/deaths: 209,627 total cases with 5,511 deaths.

N IRELAND

Latest lockdown easing  – From March 8 children in pre-school, nursery and primary one to primary three allowed back to the classroom. 

What’s coming next? –  Northern Ireland does not have a roadmap in the same way as other regions, but non-essential shops and travel is expected to come back soon.

Infections/deaths: 117,503 total cases with 2,116 deaths