Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland's lockdown to be 'significantly eased' by late April with shops reopening

Dunblane massacre will be 'forever in our hearts' as Scotland remembers the tragedy 25 years on.The First Minister took to twitter to call the day 'one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history'.On March 13, 1996, crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton murdered 16 primary school children and their teacher in Dunblane, sending shockwaves of grief around the world.Hamilton then took his own life.The murder spree remains Britain's deadliest mass shootings and lead to large-scale reforms on

Prestwick, South Ayrshire, gave her doting dad Jamie a dressing down over 'not washing his hands' this week.The tot's lecture was caught on camera as management consultant Jamie joked his daughter could apply to be one of the National Clinical Director Jason Leitch's understudies.Jamie, 41, wrote on social media: "Nicola Sturgeon, heard about Jason Leitch recruiting for understudies."Please find enclosed another candidate application."Little Rosie donned her bright pink stethoscope before

Parents are being warned not to gather at school gates after dropping off kids in fears it could lead to a spike in Covid cases.From Monday all primary school children in Scotland will return to full time face-to-face learning and ahead of this, Scottish Government chiefs are urging parents to adhere to social distancing rules.Previously First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the 'risk' of a rise in community transmissions comes from parents gathering at the school gates, as opposed to children

First Minister is taking questions from MSPs on the coronavirus committee at Holyrood.Nicola Sturgeon is being quizzed on her handling of the pandemic and how Scotland will exit lockdown in the next couple of weeks and months.MSPs will ask Nicola Sturgeon, and Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, a number of questions on the pandemic.The meeting will take place virtually and can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said non-essential shops in Scotland will reopen two weeks later on April 26 at the earliest and probably with a tiered system of local restrictions.A statement from Debenhams said: “Because this timeline does not align with those expected in other parts of the UK and therefore with the planned wind-down of the Debenhams business, regrettably our 15 stores in Scotland will now not reopen and are closed permanently.”

weekly covid statement at Holyrood.The SNP leader has already confirmed that all primary school pupils will return to class as of March 15, with high school students following after the Easter holiday.Last week, Sturgeon said she hoped to announce "relatively minor, but important changes to the rules around our ability to meet people outdoors, and also on how young people are able to interact with friends outdoors".It comes as the number of positive covid test results in Scotland continues to

S4-S6 who attend school for practical work are offered kits to test themselves.

daily number of covid cases dropped to its lowest level since September.A total of 498 people received positive test results yesterday - the first time the figure has dropped below 500 in more than six months.The SNP leader is due to update the Scottish Parliament on lockdown on Tuesday - and she said there could be an announcement on "relatively minor, but important changes to the rules around our ability to meet people outdoors, and also on how young people are able to interact with friends

Isle of Bute. Cuthbert, 24, saw red on May 27 last year - the day before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Covid-19 lockdown, which had been in place since March 23, was coming to an end.

coronavirus cases for every local authority area in Scotland have been released health officials.

Salmond by two women when he was First Minister.Salmond took the government to court and it was agreed the internal probe, which destroyed his friendship with Nicola Sturgeon, had been unlawful and tainted by apparent bias.The fiasco cost over £600,000 of public money.Salmond gave evidence last week and accused his successor of misleading parliament over aspects of the scandal..Giving her own evidence, she said “two women were failed and taxpayers’ money was lost, I deeply regret that.”The First

First Minister said there was "good evidence" the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country.And the SNP leader revealed the average number of covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 - the lowest rate since October.It means all primary school pupils will be able to return to class as of March 15 - with high schools reopening full-time after the Easter break.Sturgeon added that a further review of easing

iOS and Android.NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospital numbers reduced dramatically overnight by eight with 94 now in health board venues with the virus. This is the first time they've fallen below 100 since December 10ICU numbers now stand at five for the fourth consecutive day.And 24 new cases were detected in Ayrshire.

The SNP would fail to win a Yes vote in the wake of the Alex Salmond inquiry, a new poll has revealed.A bombshell survey found that the majority of people in Scotland no longer want to break away from the rest of the United Kingdom.It is clear evidence that the feud between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her former mentor now threatens to destroy their political dream.The Survation survey for the Sunday Mail revealed support for independence has dropped from 58 per cent in October to a 50/50

latest plan to ease restrictions yesterday but it was criticised for not looking beyond the end of April.The UK Government's routemap out of lockdown for England claimed all social restrictions could end as early as June 21.But Sturgeon said she would be “making it up” if she gave a specific date for the end of coronavirus restrictions.Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the SNP leader questioned Johnson's June 21 date.“If I was to give you a fixed, hard and fast date

direct to your inbox Plans to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the UK vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled a phased plan to lift lockdown in Scotland, which could see the country move back to the levels system of coronavirus restrictions from April 26.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Stirling’s future steps out of lockdown have been outlined, with the region’s frozen hospitality sector on track for a possible April restart.The latest routemap laid out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reveals plans to return Scotland to the previous levels system by the end of April.The changes come on the back of positivity regarding case numbers across Scotland, as well as the successful rollout of the

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"route map" is published.

First Minister left a four nations call with the Prime Minister and the leaders of the other devolved administrations to take part in her regular coronavirus broadcast today.With the call between the leaders coming as plans for the easing of lockdown restrictions are being unveiled, the Scottish Tories accused the First Minister of having the wrong priority.A Conservative spokesman said: “It will raise more than a few eyebrows that Nicola Sturgeon’s priority is the BBC briefing over working