Phase two of Scotland's lockdown exit in full - Nicola Sturgeon confirms these changes to the lockdown rules

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today revealed the key changes to come during the second phase of exiting lockdown in Scotland.

From tomorrow, people will now be able to meet up with those from two other households outdoors each day, either separately or at the same time - but in groups of no more than eight people while maintaining two metre physical distancing.

The First Minister also revealed that, from tomorrow, people who live alone will be able to form an "extended household group" with one other household. It means the likes of elderly people living alone, single parents with children and couples living apart will now be able to meet with another household indoors without social distancing and stay overnight.

Nicola Sturgeon today detailed the changes to come during phase two of Scotland's lockdown exit plan.

But people are still being asked not to travel more than about five miles - including for leisure and recreation - unless going to visit family or friends while outdoors.

However, people visiting others in gardens will now be able to go inside to use the toilet, providing they clean and avoid touching surfaces and thoroughly wash hands.

Non-essential retailers with outdoor entrances and exits will be able to reopen on June 29th but shopping centres will stay closed until the onset of phase three.

Ms Sturgeon said those in the hospitality industry won’t yet able to reopen outdoor spaces, such as beer gardens, until she receives further scientific advice about how to mitigate transmission risks in these environments, hopefully by July 2nd. She has also commissioned further advice on whether social distancing could be reduced from two metres to one or 1.5 metres in some circumstances.

From today, anyone shielding (unless in care or nursing homes) is allowed to go for exercise outdoors and, from tomorrow, anyone shielding can now do non contact activities such as golf and meet outdoors with one other household in a group of no more than eight with social distancing.

During phase two, healthcare provision will increase with more urgent referrals and resumption of GP services, while consideration will be given to a phased resumption of visiting care homes, starting with outdoor visiting. Community optometry practices will also reopen for emergency or essential eyecare.

Home working should still be viewed as the norm during phase two.

From June 22nd

Ms Sturgeon said that, from next Monday, the wearing of face coverings on public transport - including buses, taxis/Uber, trains, planes, the Edinburgh Trams a Glasgow Subway - will be mandatory with the exception of people with breathing difficulties and medical conditions preventing mask wearing and children under five. Drivers will also not be required to wear face coverings as they are already protected by shields.

The wearing of face coverings in shops is still advised and the Scottish Government will make a decision on whether to make this mandatory before non-essential retailers reopen at the end of June.

The construction sector will be able to move to the next phase of its restart plan subject to ongoing consultation with the Scottish Government.

Dentists will also be able to reopen from next Monday, initially for patients with urgent care needs.

Professional sport will also resume but this will be behind closed doors.

Places of worship will reopen but only for individual prayer - and Ms Sturgeon says it could still be "some time" before large religious gatherings resume.

From June 29th

From June 29th, non-essential retailers of all sizes will be able to reopen but only if they have outdoor entrances and exits. For the time being, indoor shopping centres will remain closed except for access to essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies. Ms Sturgeon said that shopping centres should prepare to reopen in phase three.

Shops will need to work with local authorities to ensure public spaces are managed properly with street objects removed to allow for queues, with social distancing markings put in place and hygiene measures taken.

Some indoor workplaces, like factories and laboratories, will reopen from June 29th but non-essential offices like call centres should remain closed.

Outdoor business, including zoos and garden attractions, will be able to reopen from June 29th but people should not travel more than five miles to visit them.

Outdoor markets will be able to reopen along with outdoor playgrounds and outdoor sports centres.

Registration offices will reopen for essential business and marriages will be permitted only outdoors with "limited numbers."

Restrictions on moving house will be lifted from June 29th.

The First Minister also said today that the Scottish Government's slogan during the pandemic will change from "stay at home" to "stay safe, protect others and save lives."

Ms Sturgeon said the R number - essentially the rate of virus spread - in Scotland has now been stable at between 0.6 and 0.9 for three weeks and the estimated number of people who are currently infectious is 2,900, compared to 19,000 three weeks ago.

The First Minister said that progress has been "clear and substantial" but once again stressed the Scottish public need to exercise "care and caution" because the virus has not vanished. She reiterated that taking a careful and gradual approach is the best way to prevent the virus coming back and stronger restrictions having to be reinstated further down the line.

She added: "The prize for going a bit more carefully now is a recovery which is a bit more sustainable."