Scotland's exit from lockdown has gained pace as Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced more key dates and the potential for an 'acceleration' of restriction easing.
The First Minister welcomed positive data which could result in level four lockdown restrictions being lifted earlier than planned.
The latest evidence has shown that the vaccination programme is reducing the number of deaths from the virus and that the number of cases being reported each day has dropped to its lowest rate since October.
Ms Sturgeon said she hopes to confirm more changes to restrictions next week that will take effect from March 15 and a firmer timetable for easing lockdown beyond the end of April the week after.
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She added: "We will consider between now and then if the data allows us to bring forward any relaxation of the rules. I have always said if we can go further and faster, then we will not hesitate to do so."
The First Minister also announced on Tuesday that competitive football in Scottish Leagues 1 and 2, the Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 and – for the purposes of playing Scottish Cup ties – certain Highland League teams can resume with the date still to be confirmed.
Here's how the exit from lockdown is currently looking:
From March 15
- all children in primary 4 to 7 will go back to school on a full-time basis
- all primary school children will also be able to return to regulated childcare, including after school and breakfast clubs.
- phased return to secondary school - with an expectation that all secondary school pupils will be back in school on a full-time basis following the Easter holidays
- all secondary school pupils will return to spend some time in school from March 15 until the Easter break
- expected that all children in secondary school will receive some in-school education each week up until the Easter break and then return full-time following that
- small number of priority students allowed to return to university and college
- non-contact outdoor group sport for 12 to 17-year-olds
- outdoor meetings of four people from two households allowed
April 5
- stay at home requirement lifted
- places of worship reopen with numbers restricted to 20
essential retailers list expands and click and collect resumes for non-essential shops
April 26
localised lockdown measures come into force across Scotland
non-essential work in people's homes resumes
reopening of economy begin including non-essential retail, hairdressers, gyms and hospitality
As previously reported, the dates could be brought forward if Scotland continues to suppress the virus. Nicola Sturgeon will announce any plans to accelerate changes on Tuesday.
