More than two million Scots are being lifted out of the highest tier of lockdown following weeks of strict measures.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced that 11 council areas would drop from level 4 to level 3 after facing the toughest rules in Scotland's five-tier system.
Non-essential shops and gyms will be allowed to reopen and restaurants and cafes can serve food without alcohol again in welcome news for businesses shut since the end of November.
The rules can now be loosened in the run up to Christmas, where three different household are allowed to form temporary 'bubbles' over five days in order to celebrate the festivities together.
Despite the good news for those living in tier 4 areas, the measures do not come into effect immediately.
So, when will these measures last and what will happen at Christmas?
When will tier 4 end?
Nicola Sturgeon said that level four restrictions will end at 6pm on Friday, December 11.
Retailers in the current level 4 zones are being allowed to open from 6am to help regain business and manage the flow of customers.
The council areas currently in level 4 will likely be moved down to level 3 or below at this point - it does not mean lockdown will lifted entirely.
East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian have all been living under these rules.
The First Minister insisted that the tightest of coronavirus rules are “intended to be short and sharp” ahead of the festive period and a “challenging winter”.
What will happen at Christmas?
There have currently been no changes made to the proposed plan of Chritsmas 'bubbles' this year, which will see three families allowed to meet up for five days in an easing of coronavirus restrictions.
All four UK nations have agreed that people will be able to form 'bubbles' and can gather indoors to enjoy the festive period.
Travel restrictions across the whole of the UK will also be lifted during the short period to allow people to go home for Christmas.
However, Nicola Sturgeon has has confirmed that a ban on travelling out of higher prevalence covid areas will continue in the run up to December 25.
The First Minister said the curbs mean that people cannot travel to do their Christmas shopping in Glasgow.
Between December 23 and 27, three families are allowed to form a temporary 'Christmas bubble'.
These bubbles will be allowed to meet each other:
- In each other's homes
- At a place of worship
- In an outdoor public space
Level 1
- Western Isles
- Highland
- Moray
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Scottish Borders
Level 2
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Argyll and Bute
- East Lothian
- Inverclyde
- Falkirk
- Angus
Level 3
- Edinburgh
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee City
- Fife
- North Ayrshire
- Midlothian
- Perth and Kinross
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Stirling
- West Dunbartonshire
- West Lothian
