Nicola Sturgeon has joked "I'm not quite 21 anymore" as colleagues and supporters wished her a happy birthday.
The First Minister is 51 today but is still working by sharing public health information via social media as Scotland enters Level 0 of lockdown.
The SNP leader is expected to also host a covid media briefing in the coming days to update the public on the routemap out of restrictions.
It comes as the UK diverges on its approach to tackling coronavirus with England ditching all social distancing rules from today.
The SNP's leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, wished Sturgeon a happy birthday via Twitter and said he hoped she had "the opportunity for some downtime".
Sturgeon responded: "Thank you and everyone else sending me lovely messages today - it is much appreciated. It’s fair to say I’m not quite 21 anymore."
The First Minister earlier reminded Scots that face coverings in shops and public transport will remain mandatory for “some time to come”, while social distancing will reduce to one metre inside public places as the shift to Level 0 kicks in.
Sturgeon has also warned that so-called Freedom Day on Monday applies to England only, tweeting: “As this chart shows, cases in (Scotland) are falling, but still too high.”
She added that to talk of “‘freedom day’ (England only remember) is not sensible IMO, given current situation”.
“Vaccines going well and do offer route through – but as we vaccinate, we must ease up gradually,” she said.
On Monday, she added on Twitter: “Today in (Scotland) there is a further gradual easing of Covid restrictions – but not a wholesale abandoning of restrictions.
“Please continue to stick to limits on gatherings, observe appropriate distance, wear face coverings, ventilate rooms and wash hands.”
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