Scotland to move to 2nd phase of lockdown easing against coronavirus

Scotland is ready to move to the second phase of its plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced Thursday.

Sturgeon told members of the Scottish parliament in Holyrood that the progress made in suppressing the virus was "clear and substantial".

"Taking account of that progress and the other evidence we are required to assess, I am therefore very pleased to confirm that the Scottish government has concluded that we can now move into the next phase of our exit from lockdown," she said.

Among the easing measures, people who live on their own or only with children under 18, will be able to form an "extended household group" with one other household from Friday, Sturgeon said.

This means they will be able to meet indoors without the need for physical distancing, as well as stay overnight. If anyone from the extended group contracts the virus, then the whole group will be required to self-isolate.

Sturgeon's statement came at a time when the latest official figures showed that a further 135 people have died in Britian after contracting coronavirus. Scottish health officials reported a further two coronavirus deaths, bringing the total death toll in Scotland to 2,464.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster announced that schools in the region will have a social distancing rule of 1 meter rather than 2 meters as required in England when they reopen in August.

Social distancing of 1 meter as opposed to 2 meters is "safe and appropriate" for children and young people at school, Northern Ireland's Education Minister Peter Weir said Thursday, adding that the measure will allow "full classes to attend" school.

Easing the current restriction of 2 metres, which is under review by the British government, is considered important to allow businesses such as restaurants and pubs to reopen sustainably.