When will cinemas, museums and galleries open? Date indoor venues will reopen in Scotland as phase 3 of lockdown continues

Cinemas, museums and galleries will not reopen until the country has at least moved into Phase 3 of its route out of lockdown

Across Europe, museums have re-opened their doors to the public with social distancing guidelines in place - when could the same happen in Scotland? (Photo: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s now been nearly four months since Scotland first entered lockdown to protect itself from the spread of coronavirus.

As restrictions continue to lift at a cautious but steady rate, people are beginning to wonder when they might be able to return to some semblance of ‘normal’.

One major aspect of everyday life that’s still heavily restricted under lockdown involves leisure facilities like museums, galleries and cinemas.

This cinema in Prague asks customers to wear protective masks and sit apart in observance of social distancing measures - could cinemas in Scotland soon look similar? (Photo: Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

Sure, there have been virtual gallery and museum tours, and some of the biggest movies of recent months have released exclusively on streaming services, but there can be no substitute for getting out and enjoying the real thing.

So just when might residents in Scotland be able to enjoy some of these popular pastimes?

Here's everything you need to know:

When will cinemas, museums and galleries reopen in Scotland?

Scotland has moved into phase three of its lockdown exit strategy.

At a press briefing on Thursday 9 July, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that museums, libraries, galleries, cinemas, shopping centres, and indoor pubs and restaurants could reopen on 15 July, along with hairdressers

Ms Sturgeon underlined the need for caution, however, particularly with regards to meeting indoors.

She said: "We know that the risk of transmitting the virus indoors is significantly higher than it is outdoors.

"So it is essential that we all take great care and strictly follow all of the public health advice."

Venues reopened with physical distancing and further measures – such as advanced ticketing – in place.