A new wave of freedom

• Scottish travel ban lifted from Friday as Covid rate falling • Gatherings of up to six people from six households allowed

Loved ones across Scotland will be reunited within days under “accelerated” plans to lift lockdown travel restrictions.

From Friday, travel outside local authority areas will be permitted for socialising, recreation or exercise for the first time this year. From the end of the week, people will also be able to meet up in larger groups outdoors.

The surprise move, announced yesterday and more than a week ahead of schedule has been welcomed by mental health campaigners and groups dedicated to fighting loneliness across the north.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the change of plan was possible thanks to a significant reduction in Covid cases, as strict lockdown measures and the vaccine rollout pay-off.

She said: “Because the data in the last two weeks in particular has been so encouraging, we can now give a bit more certainty to individuals and businesses about the way ahead – and indeed accelerate one aspect of the exit from lockdown which I think is important for our personal wellbeing.

“Almost all of us, if not absolutely all of us, are desperate to be able to hug our loved ones.

“I remain optimistic, now more than I was even a few weeks ago, that some or hopefully all of that will be possible in the months ahead and over the summer period.

“From the end of this week, you will be able to meet up with family and friends who live in different parts of the country.

“Many of those reunions will be long-awaited and much anticipated.”

She added: “We have also made significant progress in reducing the number of new Covid cases that we are seeing now reported in Scotland. That is partly due to the success of the vaccination programme.

“But it is also... because so many people have stuck so well to all of the really difficult rules over past months.

“To put the reduction we are now seeing into some context, in early January we were recording more than 2,000 new cases, on average, every day in Scotland.

“We are now recording fewer than 300 a day.

“The figures we are seeing now represent the lowest level since late September last year.

“In fact, it is a decline of more than 85% since early January.”

The SNP leader told a coronavirus briefing there had been three deaths from coronavirus and 221 positive tests in the past 24 hours.

It followed an almost seven-month low in cases on Monday, with just 199 positive tests.

Under the relaxed rules on gatherings, six adults from up to six households will be able to meet up outside.

Chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “What we’re seeing just now is a transition phase.

“Because of the success of the vaccination programme, we are seeing a decoupling of the infection numbers we are having across the country and the way they have traditionally translated into severe illness and deaths.

“That whole assessment of risk is now changing.”

Scotland’s current lockdown easing plan will see cafes, restaurants and beer gardens open on April 26, along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums.

Hospitality will need to close their doors at 8pm indoors and 10pm outdoors, with alcohol only allowed to be served outside.

Travel will also be allowed on this date to other parts of Britain, with reviews planned on journeys to Northern Ireland and the Republic.

From May 17, pubs are to open indoors until 10.30pm and contact sports, cinemas and some small scale events can take place.

Up to four people from two households will also be able to meet up indoors.

Scotland has five tiers of coronavirus restrictions, with the entire country – excepting some of the islands – currently in the highest tier, Level 4.

Ms Sturgeon said she was confident the country will move down levels as planned.