Scotland has made its most significant step out of lockdown to date as the country moves “beyond level 0”.

Most coronavirus restrictions have been dropped as legal requirements for physical distancing – except in healthcare settings – and gatherings have been removed and all venues, including nightclubs, are now able to reopen.

Some measures, such as the requirement to wear face coverings indoors in public places and on public transport, will stay in place.

Last week, the First Minister told MSPs that the country could move beyond level 0, the lowest level of a five-tier system of restrictions in Scotland, due to the “steady decline in cases” and “the success of vaccination”.

Under the new rules, double-vaccinated adults and all children will avoid self-isolation if they are in close contact with someone with coronavirus so long as they are symptomless and provide a negative PCR test.

The Government has said that pupils and teachers will have to continue wearing masks indoors for up to six weeks after schools return.

But whole classes in schools will no longer have to stay at home if an infection is discovered, although children and adults who are higher-risk close contacts will be told to isolate.

Since the announcement, the Scottish Government has changed its position on requiring masks in nightclubs and people will also now be allowed to drink while standing up in pubs.

Outdoors events of more than 5,000 people and indoor events of more than 2,000 will have to apply for permission from local authorities and the Government to go ahead.

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