Some areas of Scotland could move straight into level two as soon as lockdown easing begins in earnest.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and Jason Leitch confirmed today a scenario is possible where some communities might bypass the level three altogether - if infection rates are low enough.
Yesterday, Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament "if all goes according to plan", the country will move back to the levels system of coronavirus restrictions from April 26, with all council areas moving to level 3.
However, speaking at today's briefing, the First Minister said that rural areas of the country are most likely to move from lockdown measures to Level 2 when restrictions are eased.
In an interview with Radio Clyde this morning, Mr Leitch confirmed that certain areas might go straight to level 2 if prevalence of the virus is low enough.
He said: "You might move at the end of April straight to level 2 depending on the prevalence, the positivity, the nature of the hospital services, et cetera - and vaccination and new variants.
"So there's two sides of this - there's all the hopeful news around vaccination, around falling prevalence. But then I've got to balance that and it wouldn't be right if I didn't balance it with new variants, travel restrictions, hoping that the virus doesn't mutate away from us again, so we've got to be careful and that's why the three weeks are so important and that's why each three week review becomes absolutely crucial for us.
"But the scenario of being able to travel a little bit more is absolutely fair."
However, the National Clinical Director said the three week reviews are "absolutely crucial" in case of new virus mutations and the potential of travel risks, adding that "certainty is so hard to give" due to the nature of the virus.
Nicola Sturgeon echoed this sentiment at today's coronavirus daily briefing, stating that rural areas of the country are most likely to move from lockdown measures to Level 2 when restrictions are eased.
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