Coronavirus Scotland: People can now meet up with two other households outside at the same time

People in Scotland will be able from Friday to meet up outside with those from two other households, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The first minister confirmed that Scotland could move to the next phase of lifting its lockdown as “clear and substantial” progress had been made in controlling the virus because of the “enormous sacrifices” made by the public.

As of Friday, people in Scotland will be able to see friends and family from two other households in gardens or outdoor spaces in groups of eight or fewer – and visitors will be able to use the toilet inside if they are meeting outside.

Scots who live alone and single parents with young children will be able to form an “extended household group” with another household, allowing them to meet indoors without the need for physical distancing, as well as stay overnight.

It will be mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport in Scotland from Monday, Ms Sturgeon also announced.

She confirmed that vulnerable people who are shielding will be able to exercise outdoors and meet people from one other household as long as they observe social distancing.

The Scottish construction sector will move to the next phase of its plans to reopen from Monday; dentists will be able to open; professional sport can resume, and places of worship will be able to reopen for private prayer.

Non-essential shops will begin to open their doors from 29 June – a change recently brought about in England – but shopping centres will have to remain closed.

Outdoor markets, playgrounds and sports facilities will be able to resume at the end of June, along with zoos, although visitors were told not to travel more than five miles from their homes to visit attractions.

Pubs and restaurants will have to wait longer to be allowed to reopen, with the first minister commissioning more research on how to do this safely.

Ms Sturgeon also revealed that she had asked advisers to look into changes on social distancing rules – in particular, for settings where a reduction could be made to 1.5 metres instead.

In Northern Ireland, schools will be able to reopen widely from the autumn after ministers decided to cut two-metre social distancing down to one metre in the classroom.

Arlene Foster, the first minister, said: ”In the event that physical distancing is still required when schools return, the executive, following scientific and medical advice, has agreed that schools plan on the basis of one-metre distancing between pupils.

“After advice from the Department of Health and the Public Health Agency, the education minister (Peter Weir) has advised that one-metre distancing will allow the school attendance pattern to return close to normality.”

Schools have been closed in Northern Ireland since March, but teachers will begin to return on 17 August. Pupils in years seven, 12 and 14 will return on 24 August, with the rest of the school population going back to class at the start of September.