The 175,000 people in Scotland who have been told not to leave their homes for the duration of the pandemic because they are at the highest risk have been promised a gradual move to a “less restricted” life.

Changes to lockdown set out by Nicola Sturgeon today do not extend to those who are now three months into shielding.

But making the announcement for everyone else, the First Minister promised more information would be available “in the next couple of weeks” for those at greatest risk.

“We will try, as far as possible, to move to less of a blanket approach – one which requires all of you to stay at home all the time – to one that reflects your individual circumstances,” she said.

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government was working on new advice so people who are most at-risk “can safely, and gradually, start to lead a less restricted life.”

The single largest group told to shield are nearly 80,000 people with respiratory conditions, while nearly 42,000 have been added to the list by their doctors.

Additional groups have been advised to shield since the NHS began identifying people from hospital data and GP records, including kidney dialysis and splenectomy patients.

A review panel has been set up to ensure the approach to shielding is consistent across the four UK nations.

Sign up to our bulletin sent twice a week so you don’t miss out on the latest health and social care news.