Nicola Sturgeon has announced Scotland will move beyond the current coronavirus restrictions from next Monday.

The First Minister revealed the move but said there will be some mitigation measures that will remain in place.

She said the numbers were falling with the number on hospital down from 529 to 406 in the last week.

READ MORE: Covid vaccine uptake lower among young people in Glasgow than rest of Scotland

The move from Level Zero out of the levels system means the lifting of most of the remaining legal restrictions, including physical distancing.

She said no venues will be required to close.

She said:"Declaring freedom from, or victory over, the virus, is in my view, premature".

The mitigation measures include it will be the law that face coverings will be worn in indoor settings like shops and public transport for some time to come.

Test and protect will continue to contact people so contact details will need to be collected in hospitality.

School pupils aged 12 and over and teachers will still need to wear face covering in class.

Sturgeon said this will be kept under review.

And travel restrictions could still be imposed, if necessary to cope with outbreaks and new variants.

Home working will also be encouraged and a hybrid of home and office working expected in the long term.

Large scale events, indoor and outdoor, will need to request permission from local authorities for permitted numbers. 

She said: "While we expect the careful return of large scale events we will, for a limited period, keep in place the processes through which organisers of outdoor events of more than 5000 and indoor events of more than 2000 will have to apply for permission.

"This will allow us and local authorities to be assured of the arrangements in place to reduce risk."

Sturgeon said it was a combination of a reduction in cases and the success of vaccinations that have allowed the move.

She said preparations were being made for booster jags in the Autumn.