Some restrictions on people who are ‘shielding’ from coronavirus will be lifted on Friday.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said people who had largely stayed indoors for the last three months would have more freedom.
As part of the lockdown restrictions introduced across the UK in March, people who were judged to be clinically at high risk of coronavirus were placed in a special shielded category.
They were advised to self-isolate and minimise all interactions with others, which included not leaving home, for three months.
The policy was relaxed recently in a way that allowed the shielded to go outdoors.
At the daily press conference in Edinburgh, Freeman said further relaxations would be in place from Friday.
She said the Government would no longer advise people in this category to physically distance themselves from the people they live with.
If shielded individuals have children under 12, they will no longer have to physically distance from other kids outside so long as they are not shielding.
In some circumstances, the shielded will also be able to join an extended household, which would allow overnight stays.
Also permitted will be staying in holiday accommodation provided there are no shared facilities.
