Six months of life in lockdown: Key dates reviewed

Today marks six months since the announcement of the UK lockdown to combat coronavirus.

It comes as the Scottish Government has announced the tightening of some restrictions again amid a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Here are some of the key dates in Scotland since lockdown began.

● March 23: Scotland’s Covid-19 death toll stands at 14, with 499 positive cases.

People are told they will only be allowed to leave their homes for limited reasons, including shopping for food, exercise once per day, medical need and travelling for work when absolutely necessary.

● March 31: Scotland records its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases at 430.

● April 1: MSPs vote to pass the Scottish Government’s emergency legislation on coronavirus.

It allows ministers to make changes to the rental sector, the functioning of public bodies and the justice system, including the possibility of releasing some prisoners.

●Apri● 5: Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood resigns after being criticised for not adhering to social distancing advice by visiting her second home in Fife.

●Apri● 8: The first weekly report from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows 354 people have died of confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a higher figure than previously thought.

●Apri● 16: The UK Government says lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks.

● April 20: An emergency hospital for coronavirus patients, the NHS Louisa Jordan, opens at the SEC in Glasgow.

● April 28: The Scottish Government recommends wearing face masks in public in “limited circumstances”.

● May 11: The cap limiting exercise to once a day is lifted. The first minister stresses other restrictions remain in place, despite lockdown easing in England.

● May 21: Ms Sturgeon reveals a four-point plan for easing lockdown.

It allows Scots to meet people from one other household, sunbathe and take part in some non-contact sports from the end of the following week.

The first minister also reveals schools will reopen on August 11.

● May 29: Scotland enters phase one of lockdown easing.

People are allowed to meet one other household at a time outdoors in groups of a maximum of eight.

They can also sit or sunbathe in nearby parks and travel locally for recreation.

● June 7: No new coronavirus deaths are reported in Scotland for the first time since lockdown began.

● June 19: Scotland enters phase two of lockdown easing.

The latest changes allow people who live alone or solely with under-18s to meet another household indoors without physical distancing in an “extended household group arrangement”.

● June 22: Face coverings become compulsory for those on public transport.

● July 6: People queue for more than a hour to get into beer gardens as they reopen across Scotland.

● July 10: Scotland enters phase three of lockdown.

People can meet in extended groups outdoors of up to 15 people from five different households while adhering to social distancing.

●Ju●y 13: Shopping centres reopen.

● July 15: Hairdressers, indoor pubs and restaurants restart business, while museums and galleries open their doors once again.

Places of worship can reopen for communal prayer, congregational services and contemplation.

● August 5: Lockdown restrictions are reimposed in Aberdeen due to a coronavirus cluster.

●August 11: Pupils return to school across the country.

● September 1: Restrictions on visiting other households introduced for people living in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

● September 10: Social gatherings across Scotland are restricted to six people from two households. Test and Protect app launched.

●September 11: Household restrictions are introduced in Lanarkshire.

● September 21: Ms Sturgeon says additional lockdown restrictions will “almost certainly” be put in place in the next couple of days.