Social distancing rules dropped for younger children while outdoors

Children under 12 will not have to physically distance outdoors, allowing them to hug grandparents for the first time since lockdown.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced physical distancing rules will be dropped from Friday for children who are 11 and under while they are outside.

The relaxation applies to children who are not shielding, and is based on evidence that the risk to young people from coronavirus is "relatively low'', Ms Sturgeon said.

Social distancing has not been lifted for young people over the age of 11 but those aged 12 to 17 will be able to meet multiple people at once.

This will be limited to no more than eight others from up to three households at any one time.

Organised outdoor contact sports for children is also expected to resume from July 13.

Ms Sturgeon said: "We want to help children enjoy these summer holidays a bit more.

"For children who are 11 years old or under, we are removing the requirement for you to physically distance with other people when you're outdoors.

"That will allow you to play more normally with your friends, which I hope you will enjoy.

"I'm sure this move will also be appreciated by your parents and carers.

"However, other rules will remain the same for the next wee while - you should continue to meet in groups of eight or less and to meet no more than two other households at a time.''

"Adults who work, you should continue to observe physical distancing from each other and physical distancing, even for you as children, is still advised indoors.

"I hope that these changes do allow you as children and young people a bit more freedom in meeting up with your friends, and I hope they allow you to make a bit more of the summer holidays, even if - as will probably be the case in Scotland - it's raining for much of the time.''

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith, meanwhile, said he has written to doctors asking them to identify which children no longer need to shield from the virus.

"Findings from new evidence and research now allow us to reconsider and update the advice about which children are at the highest risk,'' Dr Smith said, citing work from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

"This suggests that many children or young people currently advised to shield should no longer do so as the risk is significantly less than originally assumed.

"This new guidance, which is supported across the four nations, indicates that many children and young people with conditions such as asthma or diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease, may no longer need to continue to shield.

"This means that a lot of children will be able to enjoy what we all hope is a sunny and warm summer period.

"It also means that, for some children, they will be able to return to school when schools start to reopen in August.''

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