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NICOLA Sturgeon expects the new coronavirus lockdown easing rules to come into force on Friday.
The First Minister confirmed again that some Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted at the end of the week.
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But while Scotland will enter phase one of its lockdown exit on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said changes will not come into effect until the following day.
She said: “Let me be clear, any change to these rules is not yet in place.
"I don't want people waking up on Thursday morning and assuming that they are in place straight away.”
Coronavirus Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon ‘optimistic’ lockdown restrictions will start being lifted on Thursday
“If we assess that we are able to make this change and start to ease some of these restrictions, then any changes will take effect on Friday.”
It came as the SNP leader addressed Scots during her daily briefing.
She confirmed that a further three people had died from the killer bug overnight.
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A total of 15,156 cases of the virus have been confirmed north of the border.
And 40 patients are currently in ICU as they fight the infection.
Speaking earlier today about easing lockdown measures, the First Minister said: “I am very hopeful and optimistic we'll be able to move to phase one on Thursday.
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“The data right now would suggest that's the case, but of course I've got to formally assess that on Thursday.
“I think that will be an important step forward.
“It will be a cautious step forward because we have to keep the virus under control, but it will be the first step on that road hopefully back to a greater degree of normality.”
Nicola Sturgeon states people will be able to congregate in small groups but must socially distance as lockdown Scottish eases
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