A warning not to see Level 2 Covid measures as "back to normal"
Those areas set to enjoy new freedoms are asked to do it "cautiously" and "within the safety measures that still exist."
According to Scotland's National Clinical Director, there are around 20 to 30 cases of the Indian Covid variant (B.1.617.2) which is now thought to be at least as transmissible as the Kent variant - the dominant variant in the UK.
Professor Jason Leitch, said work is underway to find out more about the strain, warning a variant worse than Kent "would set us back"
Professor Leitch said: "They are in a few places, some of that is travel, most of it has been connected with inward travel and then of course spread within a group from that initial seeding, more troubles in the North of England, so they've got more and it's spreading faster.
"We're a little bit unsure about the nature of this individual variant, it's at least as transmissible as the Kent variant, we hope it's not worse, but we're having to do lots of science to find out.
"That's one of the big concerns, we've talked about that for months, a variant worse than Kent would set us back."
Aside from Moray, set to remain in Level 3 - following a surge in Covid cases and an increase in hospital admissions - Professor Leitch urged people to be careful as coronavirus restrictions in Scotland ease further next week as he warned "we're not completely out of the woods".
For the rest of the mainland, six people from three households will be able to meet indoors, the same number can meet in a hospitality venue and eight people from eight households can meet outdoors.
Up to six people from three households will be able to socialise indoors in a private home or garden without physical distancing, meaning people can hug loved ones again.
Alcohol can be served indoors in pubs, cafes and restaurants, and cinemas, bingo halls and amusement arcades can reopen.
Professor Leitch said: "People shouldn't think this is a free for all, all bets are off, we're all back to normal, they should absolutely take advantage of managing to see family, of going to the businesses that have been closed for so long, but do it cautiously, do it within the safety measures that still exist."