Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon confirms that restrictions will be eased, but face masks will be required "for some time to come"

  • The first minister tells a virtual sitting of the Scottish Parliament that caution is still needed with rules easing at a "responsible pace, not an irresponsible pace"

  • She confirms that from 19 July wedding and funeral limits move from 100 to 200 people and it will not longer be necessary to book two-hour slots in hospitality

  • In England all legal restrictions, including those associated with face coverings, will be removed from next Monday. However, masks would still be "expected and recommended" in crowded indoor areas

  • Ms Sturgeon says she hopes that it will still be possible for most legal restrictions to end on 9 August in Scotland

  • From that date "blanket" self-isolation requirements will no longer apply to those who have been double vaccinated and whose tests come back negative

  • Scotland's Conservative and Labour leaders voice criticism of the Scottish government's vaccine rollout programme and test and protect system

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. Good afternoon and welcome

    Nicola SturgeonGetty Images

    Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the first minister's coronavirus pandemic update.

    The Scottish parliament has been recalled during recess for this session in which Nicola Sturgeon will set out the next steps in the route out of Covid restrictions.

    The SNP leader is due to begin at 14:00 and will make her announcement followed by MSPs questions.

    You can watch the first minister's statement in full using the tabs above, following via the live stream or on the BBC Scotland programme.