Nicola Sturgeon today: when is FM making Scotland lockdown roadmap update - and what could she announce?

As hairdressers and garden centres reopen to customers for a second day, Nicola Sturgeon will make her next announcement on Scotland’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The First Minister is set to update the public on Tuesday 6 April as the country’s coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased.

It comes as parts of the economy reopened on Monday 5 April for the first time since the lockdown was imposed in January, including some non-essential retail businesses and close-contact services like hairdressers and barbers.

So, how can you watch the latest update and what might Ms Sturgeon announce today?

Here is everything you need to know.

What time is Nicola Sturgeon speaking?

The First Minister will give her lockdown update from St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

She is expected to speak at around 12pm.

How can I watch Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement?

Viewers can watch the First Minister’s announcement live on the Scottish Government's official Twitter page (@scotgov).

It will also be broadcast on the BBC Scotland channel and BBC One Scotland.

What lockdown changes took place on 5 April?

As Scotland’s “stay at home” order was replaced by “stay local” guidance on Friday 2 April, some sectors of the economy opened back up yesterday.

That included the reopening of hairdressers and barbers by appointment only, with stylists able to welcome clients through their doors for the first time in months.

Garden centres also reopened, as well as non-essential shops like homeware stores, car showrooms and forecourts, and click-and-collect services by staggered appointments.

Other businesses opening back up included key cutting, mobility equipment and baby equipment stores, and electrical repairs.

Under “stay local”, people are unable to travel outside their local authority area unless for essential reasons.

What might the First Minister say during her latest update?

Ms Sturgeon is expected to give an update on the country’s Covid restrictions today, following these first cautious changes.

Other lockdown measures are not scheduled to change until 26 April - so it is likely that the First Minister will focus on this proposed date and whether the rules will ease during her latest statement.

From then, the reopening of remaining shops, gyms, outdoor and indoor hospitality and tourist accommodation is expected to take place, as travel restrictions on the mainland are scrapped.

The country is also set to return to a “modified” levels system from this date, with mainland Scotland moving from Level 4 to Level 3 while the island communities could move from Level 3 to Level 2.

Ms Sturgeon will give the usual statistics on hospital admissions, cases and deaths in the country during her announcement, along with providing an update on the vaccination programme.

It is hoped that she will then discuss the further easing of lockdown restrictions and confirm whether Scotland is on track to see more rules eased at the end of the month.