Scots could be expected to wear face masks in public places as well as being urged to work from home until next year, according to government guidance.
The country will finally drop the legal requirement for social distancing when indoors on Monday, more than 18 months after emergency restrictions were first imposed to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
Nightclubs, music venues and theatres can reopen their doors and large outdoor festivals such as TRNSMT will be allowed to go ahead.
But unlike in England, people will still be expected to wear face masks when using public transport or visiting shops.
Scottish Government guidance on face masks was quietly published on Friday leading to accusations from the Tories that SNP ministers were being "secretive" on the subject.
Companies will also be urged not to reopen offices in the short term for staff not classed as key workers - despite fears city centre economies may not recover.
The guidance said: 'We anticipate it may be necessary to keep some precautionary measures in place until early 2022, in order to help manage the increased pressure the NHS will face over the winter period. However, we will review the position every three weeks to ensure any measures remain necessary and proportionate."
From tomorrow, only those who test positive after being identified as a close contact of a positive case must self isolate, and there will be no need for social distancing and no limit on the number of people who can meet.
Although August 9 has been dubbed 'freedom day' the First Minister stopped short of using the term as she announced changes in parliament last week.
Sturgeon said: “The change is significant and it is hard-earned. The sacrifices everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated.
“However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck.
“Declaring freedom from, or victory over, this virus in my view premature.
“The harm the virus can do, including through the impact of long Covid, shouldn’t be underestimated. And its ability to mutate may pose us real challenges.”
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