This is when Nicola Sturgeon will announce Scotland’s lockdown roadmap

Scotland’s roadmap out of lockdown will be revealed by Nicola Sturgeon today (23 February).

It follows Boris Johnson's announcement on Monday of England’s roadmap out of lockdown, with a four-step exit strategy to reopen the country starting from 8 March.

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Addressing the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister will unveil a “revised strategic framework” detailing how restrictions will be gradually lifted.

It comes as the country’s youngest school pupils returned to classrooms today (22 February) as part of a phased reopening.

Ms Sturgeon has previously warned any easing of measures will be “cautious”.

So, what time is she speaking tomorrow, how can you watch the update - and what could be announced?

Here is everything you need to know.

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When is Nicola Sturgeon speaking?

The First Minister will outline the new framework in front of MSPs in Holyrood tomorrow, Tuesday 23 February.

She is expected to speak at around 2:15pm.

What might the First Minister say?

Speaking at her last lockdown update on Tuesday 16 February, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the roadmap for easing restrictions would signal a return to “greater normality”.

It will detail the “broad order of priority” for businesses gradually reopening, but will focus on data rather than dates.

The SNP leader warned the public that they should expect a slower easing of lockdown rules than last summer, due to the more transmissible UK variant.

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Last week, the First Minister said there would be no further relaxation of the current coronavirus rules before the start of March.

The only change that was introduced was allowing some children to begin a phased return to school.

During her daily coronavirus briefing on Monday 22 February, Ms Sturgeon said her roadmap statement would “set out our current thinking on the overall state of the pandemic”.

She said the revised strategic framework would not “set out hard and fast dates” for the easing of all restrictions, based on what was learned during the easing of the first lockdown last year.

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The planned roadmap will also be subject to change, with health advisers ensuring it is safe to move to the next stages before any restrictions are lifted.

Here is what the First Minister could announce tomorrow:

Levels system

Ms Sturgeon has said the new roadmap will indicate how Scotland will return to the levels system which was in place before the lockdown.

Greater family contact

During her last review, the First Minister said greater contact between families would be a top priority in the plan.

This could mean that rules for meeting other households outdoors and indoors may be revealed.

Non-essential shops

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Last week, Ms Sturgeon said greater family contact would be followed by a phased reopening of the economy.

She explained that would start with non-essential shops, so rules for some retailers reopening could be unveiled tomorrow.

Hospitality

Hospitality venues could also be given a possible future date for reopening during the roadmap announcement.

Holidays

Ms Sturgeon had already warned Scots against booking breaks within the country during the Easter holidays.

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Speaking last week, she said it was “highly unlikely” that hotels and self-catering venues would be fully open by then to accommodate people.

More details on staycations could be unveiled tomorrow.

How can I watch Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement?

Viewers can watch the First Minister’s announcement live on Scottish Parliament TV, as well as on the Scottish Government's official Twitter page, @scotgov.

It will also be broadcast on BBC Scotland.

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