Easing of Scotland's lockdown begins on Friday, First Minister confirms

Scotland will move to phase one of a four-step plan to ease out of lockdown,First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at a Scottish Government coronavirus briefing.

It means people will be allowed to go outside as much as they like, sit in parks and other public spaces and sunbathe.

They can meet people from one other household at a time, provided the meeting is outside and they socially distance from each other.

That includes in public areas like a park or a private garden, but the total number of people meeting up should be a maximum of eight.

People will also be able to take part in some non-contact sports such as golf, angling and outdoor swimming as of tomorrow.

Garden centres, drive-through restaurants and recycling centres got the green light to reopen, and teachers will be able to enter schools to prepare for re-opening in August.

Next Wednesday, outdoor nursery provision can resume with safeguards, and childminding services can get back underway. Further guidance on this will be published on Monday.

Ms Sturgeon said her confidence in the move to phase one wasboosted by the initiation of the Test and Protect scheme in Scotland, which isaimed at stopping the spread of the virus.

Under the scheme, those who are symptomatic will be tested and their contacts traced should they have the virus.

The First Minister also said people will be able to help to stop the spread of the virus by continuing to social distance.

She added: "Test and Protect will be a crucial part of our efforts to controlthis virus in the weeks ahead, but it will not do it on its own."

The use of face coverings, social distancing and hand washing, the FirstMinister said, will remain key to tackling the spread of the virus.

The First Minister said she would confirm some "careful but cautious" changes to the lockdown protocol.

She thanked the Scottish public, saying the fact the changes could be made were down to compliance with lockdown measures. Ms Sturgeon said that a downward trend was "sustained and unmistakable".