Covid restrictions could be removed within two months under the latest plan by the Scottish Government.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that no part of Scotland would be moved down a level next week as the lockdown easing is delayed by three weeks.

However, she gave dates, in July and August, for significant lifting of restrictions.

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She said that everyone aged over 50 and in the priority groups should be vaccinated with two doses by the end of this week and all over 40s by the middle of next month.

Sturgeon said that getting more people fully vaccinated was the key to lifting the restrictions.

She gave two key dates for more easing.

First, on July 19 it is planned that if vaccination targets are met then all areas would move to level zero.

Sturgeon said there would be an announcement made on July 12.

Then, the remaining restrictions that still apply at level zero would be lifted on August 9.

The First Minister said that if the timetable could be accelerated it would be but equally if it had to be slowed down that would also happen.

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She said: Covid patients are spending less time in hospital. There is evidence vaccinations is helping prevent serious health harms.

The latest statistics showed there were 2167 new cases which was 9.1% of tests carried out.

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There were 171 people in hospital, which was 12 more than the day before and there were 18 people in intensive care, up by three,

There were another four deaths registered of someone who tested positive for covid in the previous 28 days.

Sturgeon said that there would be more deaths expected.