Nicola Sturgeon said she expects to announce positive changes next week to allow people to meet more people outdoors.

The First Minister said that she will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament next Tuesday and that falling numbers of cases and hospital numbers could allow some changes to be made to the lockdown earlier than planned.

She revealed that the daily number of cases had dropped below 500.

Sturgeon said: "That should give us all real encouragement that greater normality is on horizon.

"Next week we might be able to make changes to how we meet people outdoors.

"It is important we don't get carried away yet so we don't send progress into reverse."

Sturgeon said previously that on March 15 the rules on meeting others could change to allow four people from two housholds to meet outdoors as part of the gradual route out of lockdown.

She added: “We’ve been clear as we come out of this lockdown it’s important to prioritise, be careful and cautious and prioritise what matters.”

She said so far that has been changes regarding school and care homes.

Sturgeon added: “What I will talk about next week is can we free up peoples ability to meet friends and loved ones.

“It is unlikely we will lift travel restrictions. We are looking at can we give people just a little more freedom given the progress we have made. On Tuesday I will set out the longer term plan for shops, hospitality and hairdressers.

“The next couple of weeks should bring a lot more uplifting news. We can’t run before we can walk or we will end up back in lockdown.”

The latest daily statistics showed there were  498 new cases which was 3.1% of total tests carried out that day.

Of the total, 157 were in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 107 in Lanarkshire

There were 666 people in hospital with Covid, down 52 and 64 patients in intensive care, down by 3.

Another 11 deaths were registered taking the total to 7409.

The First Minister gave the vaccination update showing 1,717,672 people have now had a first dose. including another 29,064 on Thursday.

And 8139 had a second dose taking that total to 108,197.

So far 96% of 65-69 year olds have had a first dose, 39% of 60-64 year-olds, 33% of 55- 59 year olds and 27% of 50-54 year olds.