Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled details of a four-phase "route map" towards easing the country's lockdown restrictions
The first begins after 28 May and there will be a review every three weeks
The R number is below one and has been so for three weeks, allowing a slow lifting of lockdown
The first phase of lifting lockdown will allow different households to see each other in "small groups" and only in "outdoor spaces"
The fourth phase could see "mass gatherings resuming in line with public health advice" and all types of "shopping, eating out and drinking" allowed
Children in Scotland will go back to the classroom from 11 August, but they will not be there every day
The government says the approach will be a "blended" one in which pupils will be in school on certain days and at home on others
This route map the Scottish government is setting out the phases in which Scotland will aim to ease lockdown and reduce the impact on all of us, says Ms Sturgeon.
The steps we will take are by necessity gradual and incremental - and they must also be matched with rigorous, ongoing monitoring of the virus, she adds.
She says we must not at any stage act rashly or recklessly.
Nicola Sturgeon says the routemap provides information about how and when we might ease the lockdown restrictions, while continuing to suppress the virus.
The first minister says it also provides us with some indication of what our journey to a new normal might look like.
It will be supplemented in the days ahead with detailed advice and information for the public, as well as guidance covering key sectors of our economy, travel and transport.
She says the lockdown restrictions have been absolutely necessary to mitigate the massive harm caused by the Covid-19 virus.
However it is creating harms of its own - loneliness and social isolation, deepening inequalities and serious damage to the economy.
The first minister begins her statement saying the Scottish government has just published a routemap to take Scotland through and out of the Covid crisis., external
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Image source, Getty ImagesNicola Sturgeon will outline her plans for easing the lockdown from 12.30pm
Nicola Sturgeon will shortly unveil details of a four-phase "route map" towards easing the country's lockdown restrictions.
The first minister is expected to confirm that the first phase of the process could begin within the next fortnight, perhaps from 1 June, with further phases introduced if it is thought to be safe to do so.
The country's "stay at home" rules will remain in place until the first phase of easing begins, which will be done gradually.
Opposition party leaders and backbench MSPs will get the chance to quiz the first minister after her statement, which she will begin at 12.30pm
How 'Man On - Inverclyde' is giving support during lockdown
Laura Hutton
BBC apprentice
Jason Moore, 21, says he doesn't claim to be an expert in mental health but he is willing to support other men
A group of men on the west coast of Scotland are helping each other through the stresses and strains of lockdown.
"Man On - Inverclyde", external was set up last year by Chris Paul after he saw those close to him struggling with mental health. It's proved a big support to many including Jason Moore. The 21-year-old joined because he needed help, but now he is helping others.
He said: “Because of lockdown, the group has started doing Zoom calls as well as our Whatsapp group, to give people a bit of normality.
“We don’t claim to be experts, we just try our best to make them feel safe so that they can trust us enough to open up, because it’s so important.”
"Man On Inverclyde" has started a podcast to serve as an extra support for men in the community.
Jason, speaking during Mental Health Awareness Week, said: “A few people said it [the podcast] helped them out even just as a bit of a distraction from everything that’s going on at the moment."
Quote MessageI used to come to the group, now I help to run it and it’s been really eye-opening.”
Jason Moore, 21
Image source, Getty imagesConstruction has been ongoing in England while it is on hold here in Scotland
The first minister will outline a route map for some easing of lockdown measures in Scotland in a Holyrood statement from 12.30pm today.
More detail on the plan will be published, which is likely to allow some outdoor work and activities such as golf.
Ms Sturgeon has given an indication of what might happen in Scotland in her "looking beyond lockdown", external document. The UK government has issued its "our plan to rebuild", external strategy.
How do the rules in Scotland differ from the UK's other nations at the moment - and how similar will they be after the end of the month? Check out our guide here.
Image source, Getty ImagesWill we able to meet up with one other person from outside our households, if we remain outdoors?
Not long now until the first minister's route map out of lockdown statement, but what can we expect?
Perhaps most importantly, Nicola Sturgeon will emphasise current lockdown restrictions remain in place for another week.
But the initial phase of easing lockdown is expected to begin next Thursday (28 May). It may mean:
Nicola Sturgeon will also give more information about how and when schools could reopen. The Scottish government has previously said it was "unlikely" that pupils will return in June.
Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, SNSWill professional football return first, or will it be team sports for children?
More outdoor activities, such as golf, tennis and fishing, could be allowed as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces her route map out of lockdown at 12:30 BST, but what about professional and children's team sports?
BBC sports reporter Brian McLauchlin points out that easing the sporting restrictions in England has been concentrated on the elite level - and the Premier League's Project Restart has already been struck by footballers going down with the virus or being reluctant to return.
Although talks are being held in Scotland about playing in fan-free stadiums, he suggests on BBC Radio Scotland: "It is 10 weeks today since we had our last professional football match and it's going to be some time yet before we see another one I'm afraid. As for the grassroots level, I think it is going to be a long time before we get back to any normality.
"I know golf clubs are desperate for Nicola Sturgeon to give them some guidance about how they can get back. I know my own club at Kingsfield in Linlithgow, they already have ins and outs, separate ways to get into their driving range and their golf course."
However, Glasgow University global health specialist Poppy Lamberton thinks it is possible that children's team sports could return by September or October, before those for adults, if data gathered through "Test, Trace, Isolate" proves that infections and transmissions from the young are low enough.
Image source, Getty ImagesCancer Research UK is calling for the provision of cancer care to return to pre-Covid levels "as soon as possible".
It has said about 2,000 urgent suspected cancer referrals each week in Scotland have not been taking place.
The charity has been briefing Holyrood's cross-party group on cancer ahead of a summit taking place before the end of the month.
It warns: "This will likely contribute to more cancers diagnosed at a later stage, where curative treatment options are reduced."
Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesAny return of schools must carefully balance physical safety with emotional safety, an educational psychologist has said.
Dr Sarah Hulme said children have been isolated from their friends for nine weeks, which will have an impact - particularly for those in primary school because education there is more social in nature.
She warned there must not be a "rush back to school" without a clear plan for responding to these psychological needs because schooling will look very different to when they left in March.
Quote MessageChildren will come back into school having suffered loss in many ways. It might be the loss of a loved one, it might be loss of security, it might be loss around friendship, it might be loss around having that routine. So there's many different things that children will be coming back into school carrying, in terms of psychological and emotional baggage."
Dr Sarah Hulme, Educational Psychologist
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A new clinical app for Covid-19 has been developed in Scotland and piloted in Glasgow by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The app prompts health workers to record specific symptoms, patient details and clinical decisions. The team behind it say it makes it easier to identify suspected cases and ensures signs of other illnesses or diseases are picked up too.
William Edwards, the director of e-Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “It’s never been more important to capitalise on the use of technology in the NHS. We’ve worked extremely hard to make sure our patients and staff have access to the latest technology and tools during these challenging times."
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Image source, PA MediaThe first minister will begin her crucial statement in the chamber from 12.30pm
Nicola Sturgeon will unveil details of a four-phase "route map" towards easing the country's lockdown restrictions.
The first minister will begin her statement in the Scottish Parliament at 12.30pm and we'll bring you extensive coverage here on this live page.
Ms Sturgeon is expected to confirm that the first phase of the process could begin within the next fortnight, with progress to be assessed every three weeks and further phases introduced if it is thought to be safe to do so.
The first minister has stressed it will be a "very gradual process" to ensure the virus continues to be suppressed.
And she said the country's "stay at home" rules would remain in place until the first phase of easing begins.
BBC Scotland's political editor, Brian Taylor, said the next review of the current lockdown rules is due on 28 May and that easing could begin a few days later - potentially on 1 June.
Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments
Scotland's culture secretary has thanked the sector for responding so quickly when lockdown was introduced in March.
Acknowledging restrictions had been "devastating" for the culture sector, Fiona Hyslop said they "undoubtedly saved lives" in closing when they did.
"Almost overnight culture venues had to close. We were looking forward to our festivals, our theatres, our music. So much of Scotland's culture had to stop overnight and that demand collapsed completely," she said.
She committed to supporting individuals and organisations in responding to problems going forward at a virtual meeting with Holyrood's culture committee.
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You will of course be able to watch or listen to the first minister outlining the route map out of lockdown here on this live page.
We'll also bring you reports, reaction and analysis as soon as we get them and all afternoon.
Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesPortobello Beach promenade was busy yesterday
Scotland may benefit from being three weeks behind England in easing the lockdown, a global health specialist suggests.
But Dr Poppy Lamberton, from Glasgow University, does not expect "definitive clarity" today from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the opening of schools - unless the Scottish government decides that they should not open until after the summer.
"She's been quite clear with the fact she would like to see an increased number of exercises you can have and outdoor activities you can do and the possibilities of social bubbles and having the odd family or other people you meet up with," she suggests.
Dr Lamberton believes the first minister is "already learning a bit from what's happening in England", where some have been ignoring socially distancing rules after some measures were eased.
She argues that the "lag" behind England will allow the Scottish government to judge whether easing the lockdown will lead to an increase in infection rates given it will take three weeks before the changes can be judged.
We'll learn more about the route map from the first minister from 12.30pm, as she outlines her plan in the Scottish Parliament.
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BBC Radio Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat are businesses hoping from the Scottish government's route map?
Well, clarity for one. Russell Dalgleish from the Scottish Business Network explains clarity will allow businesses to plan for the new normal, and to communicate this with customers and staff.
Mr Dalgleish also suggests knowing the triggers which would cause the plan to change would be helpful.
He says an "awful lot" of businesses will fail and there will be a recession in the coming months, and businesses need to plan their way through this.
Nicola Sturgeon will unveil her plans at 12.30pm.