Most of Scotland has moved into Level 2 restrictions, partial lockdown allowing for a limited number of people to meet indoors and for indoor hospitality to reopen, following the change in the rules from May 17.

Additionally, people are now allowed to hug each other, subject to restrictions. The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon stated that she felt “a wee bit emotional” whilst announcing this change in rules on May 11.

However, Glasgow and Moray will remain in Level 3 following a surge in cases and an increase in hospital admissions. The First Minister confirmed on May 14 that current restrictions would continue for at least a week, due to evidence that the highly transmissible Indian variant had made it to Glasgow.

The Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, all islands in the Highland Council area with the exception of Skye and the islands in the Argyll and Bute area have now moved into Level 1, due to vaccination rollout and low case numbers.

In Level 2, up to six people from three households can socialise indoors in a private home, whilst restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars can open indoors until 10.30pm with two-hour pre-booked slots.

Cinemas, theatres, comedy clubs, amusement arcades and bingo halls can also reopen, alongside all holiday accommodation such as hotels, self-catering accommodation and campsites.

On May 11, the First Minister praised the “huge success” of the vaccination programme along with compliance with restrictions which has lead to the fall in case numbers, which has dropped from an average of 226 per day to 177 per day.

Ms Sturgeon has previously said that life should look “much more like normality” by July, with the country aiming to move to Level 1 of restrictions by June 7, and then to level zero later that month.

What are the current rules in Scotland?

Most of Scotland moved to Level 2 of lockdown restrictions on May 17, allowing for six people from three households to meet indoors, and eight people from eight households to meet outdoors.

Children under the age of 12 do not count towards this number of people meeting outside, but they do when gathering inside.

Pubs and restaurants can also remain open indoors until 10:30 pm in Level 2 areas, with alcohol allowed to be served indoors.

Funerals and weddings – including post-funeral events and receptions – are now allowed to take place with up to 50 people and alcohol permitted.

Additionally, people across the UK can now travel between England, Scotland and Wales as border restrictions are eased. However, people in Levels 1 and 2 cannot travel into Level 3 areas without a permitted reason in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

University and college students have returned for in-person teaching and outdoor contact sports for 12- 17-year-olds have resumed. Primary students returned to the classroom full-time on March 15, with those in secondary having a mix of online and face-to-face lessons.

Outdoor non-contact sport and organised group exercise can take place for all adults, in groups of up to 15 people.

Level 3, which currently applies to Glasgow and Moray, allows for non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants to open their doors.

However, hospitality must currently close from 8pm indoors, and alcohol is only allowed to be served outdoors.

New guidance for those shielding has also been introduced. If you are shielding but cannot work from home, do not go to work – the Chief Medical Officer will write to all that this applies to which will act as a doctor’s note.

How many vaccinations have taken place in Scotland?

As of May 19, 3,051,383 people have received the first dose of the Covid vaccination, while 1,704,388 have received their second dose since the rollout began on January 16.

The Scottish Government has started to invite people over 30 to receive their first vaccine, meaning that all those in the nine priority groups have been offered a jab. Those aged 18-29-year-old will be invited forward next.

It comes as NHS Grampian has begun offering Covid-19 vaccinations to those aged 18 to 39 in Moray as the health board combats an “uncontrolled” outbreak of the virus.

Under-40s who have not already received an appointment were contacted from May 8, initially by phone and by letter from the middle of the week commencing May 10.

Can I travel to Scotland?

Travel to and from England is now allowed, following the latest changes of lockdown measures. Self-catering accommodation has also been allowed to reopen as of April 26.

A further easing of lockdown measures in both England and Scotland on May 17 means all remaining accommodation including hotels, hostels and B&Bs can re-open. Domestic overnight stays will be allowed from this date for groups of up to six people or two households.

Additionally, travel to some countries without a hotel quarantine upon return is now permitted.

Under the system similar to that set out by the government in Westminster, countries will be classified as green, amber and red and a review would take place every four weeks.

Managed isolation will still be needed for countries on the “red list”, while a 10-day period of self-isolation with two PCR tests will be needed for amber list countries and those arriving from green list countries will be required to take a test when they arrive, but will not need to self-isolate if they do not have the virus.

Twelve countries and territories appear on the “green” list from today, May 17, including Iceland, the Faroe Islands, New Zealand and Australia.

“This decision means that, as of now, we have a consistent four nations position on international travel – I think that’s positive,” Ms Sturgeon said.

“It has been made possible because the decisions the UK Government has arrived at are appropriately cautious – I hope this continues to be the case but I need to stress that the Scottish Government will continue to take the decision we consider to be right for Scotland.

“We will not sign up to decisions that will put our progress at risk.”