LOCKDOWN EXIT MOVES TO START NEXT WEEK

LOCKDOWN restrictions are to be eased, starting from next week, as long as numbers of cases and deaths continue to fall, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister announced the much anticipated “route map” plan yesterday in the Scottish Parliament.

The first of the proposals include being able to see friends and family outdoors and some outdoor workplaces re-opening.

The First Minster said there is some confidence the R (reproduction) number is consistently below one and Ms Sturgeon said it was time to consider easing some measures.

However, Ms Sturgeon said we must be wary of a second wave which she said the “danger” of which was “very real”.

She said she expects the first steps can be taken next week at the next review.

The route map shows four phases with small gradual steps to return to a more normal life as the lockdown is regularly reviewed every three weeks. It covers seeing friends and family, schools, workplaces and travel and leisure.

Phase one of easing lockdown would see more outdoor activity permitted – such as being able to sit in the park, or in a garden, as long as physically distanced.

Some non-contact sports like golf and fishing are listed as being possible.

It also states remote working remains the default position for those who can.

For those workplaces that are reopening, employers should encourage staggered start times and flexible working. The First Minister also suggested employers should consider measures like a four day week.

Garden centres and nurseries can reopen with distancing.

Small shops, outdoor markets and some pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces will not be able to open until phase three, which could be in July.

No dates are put on the phases but the next review date after May 28 is June 18 and then July 9.

Teachers would return to school to begin preparing for a return to education but children are not expected to return to classes until phase three later in the year.

It comes as Scotland saw a fall in the weekly death total for the plant physical third week in a row and the number of people in hospital and in intensive care continued to fall.

Ms Sturgeon revealed the latest figures showing another 37 deaths taking the total with a positive test to 2221.

There were 1318 in hospital, a decrease of 125 and 51 in intensive care, a decrease of two.

She said there had been another 105 positive tested cases reported.

In Greater Glasgow, 400 people were in hospital and 16 in intensive care. The total number of cases was now 3806.