First Minister tells Scots not to expect many lockdown changes at next week's review

Scots have been warned not to expect the easing of many more Covid-19 restrictions at next week's lockdown review point.

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government's top priorities are to ensure children can go back to school on a full-time basis next month and shielding requirements for the more vulnerable can be lifted.

Making these changes requires levels of coronavirus to "remain very low'', the First Minister stressed.

She said: "These two aims, allowing people who have been shielding to live more normally and enabling children to go back to school full-time, are really important priorities.

"And to be frank, they are only achievable if levels of Covid in the community remain very low.''

Speaking at the coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, she said: "It is possible we may not be able to make any changes next week beyond confirming the return of schooling and a pause in shielding.''

It comes as figures from the National Records of Scotland show just six deaths linked to Covid-19 occurred between July 13 and July 19, down seven from 13 the previous week.

This is the lowest weekly toll since coronavirus deaths in Scotland began in March and the 12th week in a row that the number of deaths has fallen.

The figures were revealed as several restrictions that have been in place since the lockdown began four months ago were lifted.

Make-up and nail salons, spas, tattoo parlours, dress fitters, tailors, indoor photography studios and shoe fitters are all now allowed to reopen with enhanced hygiene measures in place.

Universities and colleges are also now allowed to begin a phased return to on-campus learning as part of a blended model with remote teaching.

Motorcycle instruction and theory tests, as well as tractor driver instruction, can also resume from Wednesday.

There are no dates as yet for the return of driving lessons and practical tests.

With Scotland having been in phase three of a four-part plan for lifting lockdown restrictions for two weeks, Ms Sturgeon warned the public not to expect a move to the final phase when the arrangements are reviewed next Thursday.

Scotland spent three weeks in phase two of the plan but the First Minister said this current phase is "likely to last considerably longer than that''.

She added: "The changes we have made over the past two weeks are really significant, including the opening up of our tourism sector and the opening up of indoor hospitality,

"So we have to carefully monitor the impact of that and the number of new cases we are seeing each day.''

With other countries recording rising numbers of cases, Ms Sturgeon stressed: "We need to be confident it is safe to change restrictions further.''

The First Minister said changes are being made "at a pace and at a level we think is right and safe for our current circumstances here in Scotland''.

She also made clear decisions in other parts of the UK will not automatically apply north of the border.

While the UK Government is encouraging more people to return to workplaces, Ms Sturgeon said this "doesn't yet apply in Scotland''.

She said: "Working from home, where that is feasible, remains the default and preferred position and we expect employers to continue to support people to do that.''