Scotland to lift Covid restrictions ahead of schedule

Nicola Sturgeon says ‘Covid is in retreat in Scotland’ as travel and outdoor rules eased

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

Nicola Sturgeon has accelerated the relaxation of restrictions on travel and outdoor meetings as she said Covid was “in retreat” in Scotland.

Announcing the changes, which will allow Scots to meet up with family and friends across the country outside in larger groups, the first minister said that from this Friday: