A relaxation of lockdown restrictions planned for this Friday and next Monday will take place as previously outlined.

From this Friday, 2 April, the stay-at-home rule which is in place across most of Scotland (except some island communities) will be lifted and replaced with a requirement to ‘stay local’.

That means that current travel restrictions which prevent non-essential travel outside local authority areas will remain in place for another three weeks.

And from next Monday, 5 April, a wider range of changes will take effect as follows:

• More students, particularly in colleges, will be allowed to return to on-campus learning.
• Contact sports will resume for 12 to 17-year-olds.
• There will be a limited reopening of some retail services.
• All shops will be allowed to operate click and collect services from Monday, although an appointment may be required to pick up goods.
• Car showrooms and forecourts will reopen, although appointments may be required for access to showrooms.
• Homeware stores and garden centres will also be able to reopen.
• Hairdressers and barbers will reopen, and appointments are encouraged.

Changes planned for later in April will be discussed in future updates and are dependent on continued suppression of the virus.

It remains the intention that all secondary school pupils will return to school full time after the Easter break.

Restrictions are due to ease further from Monday, 26 April, by which time all those over the age of 50 are expected to have received a first dose of the vaccine.

The levels system will be reintroduced at that stage, and it is hoped that mainland Scotland will move from Level 4 to Level 3 restrictions on that date. In turn, that is expected to lead to all restrictions on travelling within Scotland coming to an end.

It is also expected that a full reopening of retail premises and a partial reopening of the hospitality sector will take effect from 26 April, and that some of the rules on outdoor meetings can be eased.

The planned changes are expected to be confirmed during an update in three weeks.

Within the next few days, the Scottish Government will publish updated levels tables on their website. The tables will provide more information about changes it is hoped will be made during April, May, and into the summer.

Vaccination update

As of this morning, 2,436,398 people in Scotland have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 338,443 people have received a second dose.

That means that the vaccine has so far been given to:

• Virtually all over 65-year-olds
• 98% of 60-64-year-olds
• 81% of 55 to 59-year-olds
• 57% of 50 to 54-year-olds

It is expected that by the middle of April a first dose of the vaccine will have been given to all those over 50, all unpaid carers, and all adults with underlying health conditions.

While new cases of coronavirus in Scotland fell throughout January and February, figures are now levelling out.

Maintaining progress

Although restrictions are starting to be eased, sticking to the rules remains important to keep the virus under control.

Everybody should stay local and continue to work from home where possible, and should not meet up with other households inside homes.

The maximum group size for adults outdoors is up to four people from up to two households, and for 12 to 17-year-olds the group of four can be from up to four households.

When businesses such as garden centres do reopen, plan ahead to avoid busy periods. On any occasion you do leave the house, remember FACTS.