People in Scotland who have been shielding since March because they are at especially high risk of covid-19 will be able to resume normal life from Saturday, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today.

Those on the list will instead have to follow the same guidelines on social distancing and hand hygiene as the rest of the general public.

Scottish Government estimates referred to by the First Minister suggest just 300 people were infectious in the last week, compared to 1,000 the week before.

Ms Sturgeon added she was encouraging the UK Government to adopt a strategy of eliminating rather than supressing the virus.

However the First Minister said the threat “has not gone away” and urged those most at-risk to be “especially careful”.

The requirements could also be re-introduced if the virus becomes more prevalent, she confirmed.

New government guidance that includes an individual risk calculator has been produced to help employers make workplaces safe for the return of workers who were shielding.

Meanwhile children who were on the list will also be allowed to re-join their classmates when schools reopen on 12^th August.

It comes as the UK chief medical officers extend the self-isolation period for people who have the virus from seven days to ten.

In a joint statement they said there is a “low but real possibility” of infecting others after seven days.

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