The rules on lockdown 'sleepovers' as phase two comes into force in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland can, as of today, move in to phase two of the route map out of lockdown - with changes to be made in stages.

The good news for many of us is that the move into phase two means non-cohabiting couples can reunite indoors without the need for physical distancing.

It's what some are referring to as a 'sex bubble' rule as intimate relationships restarting is included in the latest rules on 'extended households'.

The move in to phase two means non-cohabiting couples can now reunite indoors without any need for physical distancing (Getty)

If you are an adult and you live alone, or if all the others in your household are under 18, you and the members of one other household can agree to form this extended household - in which everyone will be able to act, and will be treated, as if they live in one house.

That means that you can spend time together inside each other's homes without the need to stay two metres apart.

What some are regarding as the 'sex bubble' rule, the green light for intimate relationships to restart is part of the rules on forming 'extended households (Getty)

However, if one person gets coronavirus then there is a strong likelihood that other members of that 'extended household' will also catch it.

As a result, households with people who are shielding cannot be part of these groups.

As a result, some rules to follow to remain safe are:

1. only people who live alone (or who live only with children under 18 years old) can form an extended household with another household.
2. a person should not form an extended household with more than one other household.
3. households can end the arrangement at any time, but should not then form an extended household with a new household.
4. this means that all the adults living in both households should agree to form the extended household. This is an important decision that should be properly discussed and agreed beforehand.

So to be clear, you can only be a part of one extended group and you can't switch and start another 'extended household' with a different house.

Once two households have agreed to form an extended one, they may meet outdoors or indoors, visit and stay at each other's homes, and do everything that people in other households can do, such as watch TV, share a meal and - yes - have sex.

But you should continue to follow advice about handwashing, surface cleaning and respiratory hygiene, including covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

There are also no restrictions on how far people can travel to form the household group - so if your partner lives further away then it is now possible to see them.

For more on the phase two rules coming into force from today onwards - and those to come in the weeks ahead - here's a rundown of what you will and won't be able to do until phase three.