First Minister promises more details on the route map out of lockdown tomorrow

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she will make further announcements on the timeline of the roadmap out of lockdown tomorrow.

There was criticism last week when restrictions that were expected to be lifted failed to emerge.

Many pub and restaurant owners and landlords were incensed as they had believed outdoor seating areas would be given the go-ahead but were not.

At today's Scottish Government briefing Ms Sturgeon said: “I will provide a general update tomorrow on Scotland's route map out of lockdown and as part of that I'll set out some indicative dates for when some measures and some phases, all being well, will come into effect.

“We could move through phases perhaps more quickly or bring certain measures forward in some instances. That's what we hope now to be able to do, but I want to stress that we are still taking, and will continue to take, a cautious approach.

“Last week, I was able to announce our move into the next phase in our exit from lockdown and tomorrow I'll be able to provide some further details on the timing of some of the specific steps in that journey."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is due to update the Scottish Parliament on the remobilisation of NHS services today, while Deputy First Minister and education secretary John Finney will provide an update on the reopening of schools and support to help young people catch-up on missed learning.

The First Minister said: “Four weeks on from the report of the education recovery group – when things looked bleaker than they do today – he will set out where we are now and, crucially, he will outline where we aim to be by August when the new term begins.”

Four more deaths from coronavirus were recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll of those confirmed with the virus to 2476.

A further 12 people tested positive for Covid-19. The total now stands at 18,182.

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