Nicola Sturgeon has announced today that Scotland will return to a levels system from the last week of April - as long as coronavirus cases continue to fall around the country.
Setting out her route map out of lockdown, the First Minister gave indicative dates of when Scotland is likely to enjoy more freedoms, confirming that it is hoped that Scotland could enter level three in the last week of April with the country to continue living under a levels approach.
The Scottish Goverment hopes that they can vaccinate around half of the population (groups 1-9) by the end of April to support the plan to start re-opening Scotland's economy.
Setting out Scotland's exit strategy live to parliament today, Nicola Sturgeon gave the following indicative dates:
March 15
- From March 15 more pupils should be allowed to return to school, starting with Primary four to seven and then more senior phase pupils.
- From March 15 it is also hoped that they can re-open outdoor sports for 12-17 years olds.
- A maximum of four people from two households could be allowed to meet outdoors from this date.
5 April
- From this date, it is hoped that the stay-at-home restrictions can be lifted.
- All school pupils should have returned to school from this date.
- Communal worship will be allowed to re-open.
- At least six people from two households can meet together.
- Reopening of retail to begin and removal of click and collect restrictions.
26 April
- In the last week of April, it is hoped that all of Scotland can move back to level three.
- This could see the re-opening of Scotland's hospitality industry such as bars and restaurants begin.
- Gyms, hairdressers and other non-essential businesses could re-open from this date.
