First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms Sutherland will enter level two coronavirus restrictions along with most of Scotland from Monday

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed a major lifting of restrictions from level three to level two from Monday.

But the First Minister said that Moray, which has a higher number of Covid cases, could be excluded from the move.

At the same time, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland will move to level one.

Announcing the measures, she said: "I actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this... from Monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again.”

Scotland moved down from level four to level three on April 26, which allowed the reopening of cafés, pubs and restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops that were still closed.

Now, from Monday under the level two restrictions, the following activities will once again be permitted:

• Up to six people from three households will be able to meet in their homes and can also stay overnight
• Social distancing will also be suspended indoors and in private gardens so people can hug their loved ones
• Alcohol can be served indoors in pubs or restaurants and they can stay open until 10.30pm
• Up to six adults from three households will be able to meet indoors in a public place
• Outdoors, up to eight adults from eight different households can gather
• Adult outdoor contact sports and indoor group exercises will be able to resume
• Cinemas, bingo halls and amusement arcades are also likely to be able to reopen
• Outdoor and indoor events like concerts can restart with limited capacity

Ms Sturgeon also said international travel would cautiously restart under a traffic light system as part of a four-nations approach.

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