Nicola Sturgeon has said she is optimistic Scotland is still on course for so-called 'Freedom Day' on August 9th.
The First Minister, whose Government will make its announcement next week, said there are "really strong grounds" for hope ahead of the key lockdown-easing milestone.
Scotland was placed into ‘level zero’ of the covid restriction plan earlier this month and August 9th has been pencilled in for the remaining curbs to be lifted.
The shift would take the country close to normality, but the Government has signalled face masks will be still be required in some indoor settings.
Falling covid infection levels and a successful vaccination programme have been cited by experts as reasons why the lockdown restrictions are being ditched.
Speaking at a media briefing, Sturgeon said of next week's statement: "What we'll be doing between now and then is weighing up the different factors that will inform that decision. Several of these factors give us really strong grounds for hope."
She said Scotland is in a "much better place" than at the start of the pandemic or even at the beginning of this month.
She added: "We have seen some very positive developments recently, and that does give us, certainly gives me, grounds for optimism that we will be able to continue our progress, out of restrictions."
It came after Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said he is “confident” the plan can go ahead.
He said yesterday: "Our vaccinators and all those involved in the programme should be thanked for their efforts.
"Of course we want to continue to drive uptake, but I would be confident at this stage that we're able to move towards the target date of August 9th.
"The First Minister, of course, is going to update parliament on August 3.”
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