Nicola Sturgeon announced some more easing of covid restrictions as the number of cases continues to fall.

The guidance around working from home will change from the start of next month.

The First Minister said employers will be asked to implement a hybrid working system of some days at home and some in the office.

She said: “A mass return at this stage is likely to be counter productive.”

Sturgeon also announced two other changes.

The two metre physical distancing requirement in situations where people have an exemption from face will return to one metre.

 Also, on organised activity for children indoors, face coverings will no longer be required from Friday for adults interacting with children under five.

She said the data showing a fall in cases and people in hospital allowed the changes to go ahead.

She said the weekly survey from ONS indicates the percentage of people infected has declined.

Sturgeon added that results in a fall in people admitted to hospital and said hospital occupancy has fallen too as has the number of patients in intensive care.

She added: “The significantly improved situation has allowed us to lift most measures introduced before Christmas.”

The latest statistics showed there were 8022 positive cases yesterday.

There were 1392 people in hospital, down by 43 and there were 59 patients in intensive care down 4.

Another 23 deaths were recorded taking the total to 10,222.