Scottish Government has published the guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Safer Public Spaces for Scotland - Urban Centres and Green Spaces.

The guidance document focuses on design principles for safer urban centres and greenspaces in Scotland during the coronavirus crisis. It contains information and examples of interventions that may be undertaken by owners and operators of public spaces to keep people safe, as restrictions relax.

This publication is a guidance document focusing on the design principles for safer urban centres and green spaces. The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 came into force on 26 March to allow enforcement of a range of measures in recognition of the threat posed to public health from the coronavirus.

The guidance contains information and examples of interventions that may be undertaken by the owners and operators of public spaces to keep people safe as and when the restrictions are relaxed and urban spaces become busier. The guidance applies in Scotland only and does not impose any legal obligations.

The guidance is primarily for owners and operators of public places including but not limited to:

• Local authorities and town/city centre managers
• Landowners
• Commercial landlords responsible for public places
• Management companies

The document provides a framework for identifying the issues associated with the use of public places in light of the need for physical distancing. It focuses primarily on areas which are likely to have high footfall. It also includes practical interventions, which are temporary, for adapting and managing public places. The guidance covers external public spaces and is not intended for indoor shopping centres and malls.

Scottish Government has also published guidance for community gardens and allotment sites and on opening public and customer toilets