Scotland's First Minister is expected to set out her strategy for ending the coronavirus lockdown later today as the country's death toll exceeds 1,000.
Nicola Sturgeon says her aim will be to achieve some "semblance" of normality but has warned of a "new normal" with constraints likely to be in place for a prolonged period.
As reported by STV, a paper will be published later that will indicate how the Scottish Government will begin to ease restrictions - but some changes could remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The news comes as trials get underway for a coronavirus vaccine candidate on human volunteers but the Chief Medical Officer for England, Chris Whitty, has warned it will likely not be ready until next year.
Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, the medical expert said that a lot will depend on either an "effective vaccine" or "highly effective drugs so people stop dying from this disease".
Urging people to be "realistic", he explained that until that point we must "rely on other social measures, which of course are very social disruptive as everyone is finding at the moment".
"It will have to be the best combination that maximises the outlooks but it's going to take a long time", Mr Whitty added.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also reiterated that there are still five crucial steps before they can consider lifting lockdown as he told MPs that the UK is "at the peak" of the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday (22 April).
He said: "We have been clear that we will not risk lives by relaxing the social distancing rules before our five tests have been met.
"First, that the NHS can continue to cope, second, that the operational challenges can be met, third, that the daily death rate falls sustainably and consistently, fourth, that the rate of infection is decreasing, and most importantly, that there is no risk of a second peak."
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