Addressing MSPs in Holyrood, the First Minister revealed framework for a return to a tiered approach to restrictions – much like that seen before the current lockdown in place since the turn of the year.

Scots have been without non-essential retail, hospitality and access to places like gyms and hairdressers since the country was plunged into ‘stay at home’ lockdown on January 4.

But what does the route-map say about getting back to some form of normality? Here, we try to help answer that question.

FM @NicolaSturgeon has confirmed that from 15 March, all remaining primary school pupils will return to school full-time.

Secondary school pupils will also return on a part-time basis. Plans are dependent on continued suppression of #coronavirus.

More ➡ https://t.co/VmmqjpvZbc pic.twitter.com/zUyZQpvuUc

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 2, 2021

When will hairdressers re-open in Scotland?

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: “If all goes according to plan - we will move fully back to a levels system from the last week in April.

“At that stage, we hope that all parts of the country currently in level 4 - will be able to move out of level 4 and back initially to level 3 - possibly with some revision to the content of the levels - and afterwards to levels dependent on incidence and prevalence of the virus at that time.”

That would mean that hairdressers and barber shops could reopen from Monday, April 26.

Ms Sturgeon added: “It is therefore from the last week of April that we would expect to see phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non-essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and hairdressers.”

She added, however, that this will only take place if there is a sustained reduction in cases of the coronavirus pandemic.

This remains slightly behind England, which is scheduled to reopen hairdressers on April 12.

Could we see things move faster?

The First Minister did hint on Tuesday that, following “much more encouraging” figures, the Scottish Government is “considering if it might be possible to accelerate the exit from lockdown in any way.”

She said: “When I update Parliament next week, I hope to be able to confirm some changes to Scotland’s level 4 restrictions.”

Any acceleration in the easing of restrictions would still have to be done with “the care and caution we know is necessary”, the First Minister stressed.

But she stated: “I have always said if we can go further and faster, then we will not hesitate to do so.

“All of us want to move on as quickly as possible and, as a priority, to see friends and family again. I hope that day is now not too far away.”