There's not long to go now before Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm that the country's lockdown restrictions are to be eased slightly.

The first minister unveiled a four phase "route map" last week which was aimed at restarting society while suppressing the virus.

A formal review of the lockdown will almost certainly give the green light to the first phase being introduced.

The Scottish government briefing should begin at 12.30pm.

Read more here.

Nicola Sturgeon is due to confirm the next phase in the coronavirus response will get underway.

The focus is moving to the strategy of "test, trace, isolate, support" which in Scotland will now be known as "test and protect".

The Scottish government has published details of the plan, external which will become ever more important as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

Test and Protect is Scotland's plan for activating the new phase of the Covid-19 response, which is the "test, trace, isolate, support" strategy.

This is how it will affect us as the easing of lockdown restrictions begin.

Image source, Getty Images

Confirmation that lockdown will begin to ease in Scotland will be met with excitement and relief by many of us.

And while being able to sit in the park with one other household will be one of the key changes you've been looking forward to, there is still a lot that remains the same.

• Stay home as much as possible.This includes continuing to work from home when you can and not travelling too far from your local area when outside. You also shouldn't be meeting other households indoors.
• Isolate if you have symptoms. You should book a test and your household should isolate with you. These are: a new cough; a fever; or a less of smell/taste.
• Stay 2m from everyone. Even if you are meeting another household at your local park, it is important you remain 2m from everyone.
• Maintain good hygiene. This includes washing hands regularly, using tissues or the crook of your elbow when you sneeze or cough, and trying to avoid touching your face.

Plenty of information on the measures you must continue to take is available through NHS Inform, external.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

"We will keep throwing money at the problem until it is solved," says Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, on the likelihood of finding a vaccine.

However, he warns that we will not know how long a vaccine will last for and says the best way to ensure we eradicate the virus is to stockpile enough for everyone in the world.

We may need an annual vaccination, says the professor, who predicts that 75% of the global population will contract Covid-19 at some stage if a solution eludes the hundreds of teams of scientists working on it.

He says that the early signs are that the virus is mutating at a slower rate than flu, which is good news for adapting any future vaccine.

Developing a brand new drug can take "many years" he explains, adding that repurposing existing drugs is a much faster and safer route.

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm that the country's lockdown restrictions are to be eased slightly.

Image source, Getty Images

Holyrood's local government committee will shortly be discussing homelessness with charities working on the issue.

The meeting will be livestreamed above on the 'Scottish Parliament: Covid-19 Response' video option.

The evidence session begins at 11.45am and here are the committee's papers., external

Marc Ellison
Data journalist, BBC Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

After more than eight weeks of lockdown, Scotland seems poised to take the first tentative steps back to normality.

So how well has the country adhered to the restrictions, and has the discipline started to crack as the weeks have gone by?

Certainly it seems like our parks and roads are getting busier - but is there a way we can confirm this? Enter Google.

The tech giant has been publishing so-called "community mobility" reports since April.

This is a rather euphemistic way of referring to the tracking people's movements during the coronavirus lockdown.

These reports exist for countries ranging from Afghanistan, to the United Kingdom, to Zimbabwe.

Image source, Getty Images

Thousands of contact tracers are making their first phone calls to track down people who will be told to self-isolate under new test and trace schemes being launched in Scotland and England.

Here in Scotland, from today, if you have Covid-19 symptoms go to NHS Inform, external or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test.

Tracers will text, email or call people who test positive with coronavirus and ask who they have had contact with.

Any of those contacts deemed at risk of infection will be told to isolate for 14 days, even if they are not sick.

Those who have already had the virus will also be asked to self-isolate.

The aim of the system is to lift blanket lockdown restrictions and move towards more localised, targeted measures.

• Scotland's plan for test and trace
• Nicola Sturgeon to confirm first phase of lockdown easing
• How will contact tracing work in England?

• My new skill as a contact tracer

Shoppers are being reminded they may have to remove face masks when buying age-restricted items such as alcohol.

Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards has tweeted about the Scottish government guidance.

It states: "Be prepared to show ID for age-restricted products and possible removal of face coverings if requested.

"Retail staff are facing increased pressure at this time regarding age-verification, with face-coverings recommended for use."

One of the biggest exhibitions due to open at the national galleries of Scotland this summer has been cancelled.

The exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland was due to be the centrepiece of the summer festivals in Edinburgh, but will no longer go ahead.

Organisers say it will reopen in London at the end of the year.

Another exhibition dedicated to the special effects creator Ray Harryhausen, which was due to open In Edinburgh this week, is still expected to be staged later in the year.

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Should the weekly applause for frontline workers tackling the coronavirus outbreak end this evening? It's been 10 weeks and the woman behind it, Annemarie Plas, has suggested it has "had its moment".

Angela Haggerty, journalist: "As well as being a gesture it serves a purpose.

"I'm in a shielding family and it reinforces that this is not over, that the virus is still a massive threat and frontline workers are still dealing with this.

"As lockdown starts to ease and the deaths fall, people may start to think that it is all over and the clapping reminds us that we still need to be careful and play our part."

Sue Elliot Nicholls, actor: "I really look forward to going out clapping and cheering. On my street it's a chance to connect with people. It's wonderful.

"It irks me to see politicians scoring points with their clapping as if it were their thing, when it very much isn't.

"I think it has highlighted the huge pressure the NHS is under and I really hope people hang on to that."

Community groups have been responding in different ways to the coronavirus crisis, according to the charity Community Land Scotland.

Govan Baths Community Trust in Glasgow has a project called Postal Stories to engage with people who have no internet access.

They are sent postcards with text and images to encourage them to take up different weekly activities, including Tai Chi and poetry.

Pollockshields Trust, also in Glasgow, has helped to set up a community food point in an empty shop, while Galson Estate in Lewis has started WhatsApp groups in its 22 villages so people can offer support to each other.

Here's some of the latest advice in Scotland, including on the route map out of the crisis and the Test and Protect programme:

1. Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, external

The Scottish government has identified four phases for easing the restrictions. We expect Nicola Sturgeon to announce the commencement of phase one this lunchtime

2. Test and Protect, external

From today if you have Covid-19 symptoms contact NHS Inform or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

3. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing and stay at home advice.

4. Clear Your Head, external

It's ok to not feel yourself right now, so click here for tips to help your mental health during the crisis.

5. Ready Scotland, external

Staying at home does not mean you are alone - there are many ways you can help your community.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

Relaxing lockdown means there will be more good reasons for leaving the house, "but there will not be a free-for-all", explains John Swinney.

The deputy first minister says the fundamental elements - like staying home for the most part, social distancing and hand washing - will continue to underpin communication.

Asked about "recent headlines", the deputy first minister says this could be "potentially very damaging" to public compliance but people must be encouraged to follow the guidance.

People must understand however angry and irritated they are by this case, that is nothing compared to losing individuals to coronavirus he says.

• Dominic Cummings: Did he break lockdown rules?
• Emily Maitlis: I asked for night off from BBC's Newsnight
• Boris Johnson urges UK to 'move on' from Cummings row

The Scottish government has identified four phases for easing the restrictions, external:

Phase 1: Virus not yet contained but cases are falling. From after 28 May you should be able to meet another household outside in small numbers. Sunbathing is allowed, along with some outdoor activities like golf and fishing. Garden centres and drive-through takeaways can reopen, some outdoor work can resume, and childminding services can begin.

Phase 2: Virus controlled. You can meet larger groups outdoors, and meet another household indoors. Construction, factories, warehouses, laboratories and small shops can resume work. Playgrounds and sports courts can reopen, and professional sport can begin again.

Phase 3: Virus suppressed. You can meet people from more than one household indoors. Non-essential offices would reopen, along with gyms, museums, libraries, cinemas, larger shops, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and dentists. Live events could take place with restricted numbers and physical distancing restrictions. Schools should reopen from 11 August.

Phase 4: Virus no longer a significant threat. University and college campuses can reopen in full, mass gatherings are allowed. All workplaces open and public transport is back at full capacity.

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

The public will be required to exercise more discretion about what they can and cannot do as Scotland exits lockdown, the deputy first minister has told the Covid-19 Committee.

John Swinney explained that as the nation moves through the phases set out in the government's route map, messaging will move from instruction to advice.

Advice on the best ways for people to protect themselves and others will be an important part of this, he said, adding he did not "underestimate the challenge this will be for individuals who frankly want to get on with their lives."