Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed a three week lockdown easing delay for all parts of Scotland.
The First Minister made the statement to Holyrood amid concern about levels of the so-called Delta variant of covid-19.
Every part of Scotland is in level two or below and Sturgeon had hoped to put the country in level zero on June 28th.
But she said: “I can confirm that no part of the country will change covid level next week.”
However, a short delay will mean all of Scotland is likely to go down to level zero on July 19th.
Being in level zero means that most of the restrictions that have dominated people’s lives since March last year will be lifted.
She also hopes the remaining curbs will no longer apply on August 9th.
She said: "At the moment, the high number of new Covid cases being recorded is a significant consideration.
"To use the race analogy, we must not allow the virus to get too far ahead of the vaccines.
"Therefore, as indicated last week, we intend to maintain the current restrictions applicable in each part of Scotland for the next three weeks.
