NICOLA Sturgeon is to outline the next steps out of lockdown in a statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

The First Minister is expected to reveal the dates on which rules can be relaxed and people can have more freedom to meet people from other households.

Currently the rule is up to four people from two households can meet up outdoors in a public space or private garden.

It is expected the stay-at-home rule will end on April 5.

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All school Pupils are due to return to school after the Easter holiday in the first two weeks of April.

She is due to reveal some provisional dates for when businesses like non-essential retail, pubs restaurants, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians can re-open.

Sturgeon will give details of the changes that are hoped will take place in April, fist at the beginning of the month and then more at the end.

The hospitality trade will be opened firstly on an outdoor basis and then indoor, with the first re-openings possibly on April 26.

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It is expected that gyms and swimming pools will eb able to re-open also on that date.

Scotland is to return to the lockdown levels system at the end of April and every area is hoped to be moved down into at least level three.

Sturgeon said yesterday: "Things should start to get better in the weeks and months ahead.”

But she added: "I need to stress, we can't throw caution to the wind."

She added: "I will seek to set out the details of changes in early April, around the 5th, then further in late April and then, in less detail, beyond that.

"We will try to provide as much clarity now as possible."

She is due to speak to the Parliament at around 2.15 pm.