LAST week I made some significant announcements on our progress through Scotland’s route map out of lockdown.

We have all felt the effects and restrictions of Covid-19 – however, very few of us have had to endure the isolation felt by those who have been shielding.

For those of us not in this category, it is very hard to fully comprehend what those who are shielding have been through in recent months. Having to stay indoors, shut away from loved ones has not been easy – and I am hugely grateful to everyone affected for their patience and understanding.

The progress we have made in suppressing the virus has meant it is now safe to pause the advice for people to shield. This means people who have been shielding can follow the same guidance as the rest of the population and enjoy a bit more normality.

It is an extremely welcome step and one I have been looking forward to being able to confirm. I know the impact this will have on people who have put up with such tough restrictions on their lives for so long.

I also know this has been an extremely difficult time for children and young people.

At the start of this year, the notion of having to close every school in Scotland was inconceivable. Only a few months later it became necessary to slow the spread of a deadly virus.

Throughout this crisis we have listened carefully to parents, teachers and young people on how Covid has impacted their lives. We know it has been hard and that learning, peer relationships and mental health are all at risk, the longer schools remain closed.

It has always been our priority to get pupils back to school as soon as it is safe to do so.

Indeed, one of the reasons for our cautious approach out of lockdown has been our determination to reopen schools in August.

The sacrifices everyone has been making to get this virus under control are, at this stage, working.

As a result of having driven Covid down to very low levels, we have been able to confirm that schools can reopen from August 11, with all children and young people returning full-time by August 18 at the latest.

I know this is a big step for many children who are excited to get back to school (and for lots of parents!), and of course it is very welcome news. However, I’m aware it is important to give confidence to those who may feel anxious.

Plans for the reopening of schools have been worked on for many weeks by our Education Recovery Group – made up of representatives from councils, teachers and parents and chaired by the Education Secretary – and informed by scientific advice.

There is robust guidance in place which sets out the protections that are required to be put in place to allow for the reopening of schools – for example, there will need to be enhanced cleaning and hygiene regimes and good ventilation. All of this will be backed by £50 million of funding for local authorities to help them prepare and put in place the practical arrangements.

And of course health measures will be crucial, such as quick access to testing for symptomatic staff and pupils.

Glasgow Times: I know lockdown has had an impact on young people in Scotland I know lockdown has had an impact on young people in Scotland

We cannot rule out the need for blended learning arrangements in the future if there is a significant increase in Covid. However, these detailed plans – and the currently low prevalence of the virus – give us as good a basis as we could hope for to get children back to school.

The pausing of shielding and the reopening of schools, as welcome as they are, have led to some difficult timing decisions about when to lift remaining restrictions, particularly in some sectors of the economy.

In so many ways moving out of lockdown is more complex than going into it. Reopening is not as simple as comparing the transmission risk of the virus in one setting with another – we must consider the picture as a whole.

We have made significant changes in recent weeks and we need to allow time to fully assess their impact. That’s why it is likely that we will stay in Phase 3 of the routemap for some time to come, making any further changes gradually and cautiously.

We should be proud of the progress we’ve made, but we must be aware that it is incredibly fragile.

The situation in countries around the world, across Europe and even in England, gives some cause for concern, as do the clusters we have seen recently in North Lanarkshire and around Inverclyde.

Where there have been spikes in cases, we have so far been able to use Test and Protect to break the chains of transmission. However they serve as reminders that this virus remains in Scotland.

This is a crucial time for us – opening up means an increased opportunity for the virus to spread.

We mustn’t let our guard down – it is up to all of us to follow all the health advice so we can continue to enjoy progress out of lockdown and keep the virus under control.