THE First Minister is expected to accelerate Scotland’s lockdown easing measures today – but has stressed there will be no change to the two-metre social distancing rule just yet.

After England announced a reduction in their two-metre rule and allowed hairdressers, pubs, restaurants and hotel to reopen from July 4, Nicola Sturgeon will provide a “general update” on the situation here in Scotland.

It comes a week after some phase two measures, like meeting with family and friends indoors with social distancing measures in place, and opening up beer gardens, were put on hold.

READ MORE: Scotland ‘not far away’ from eliminating Covid community transmission

The SNP leader said: “As part of that, I’ll set out some indicative dates for when some measures and some phases - all being well - will come into effect.

“I said from the very start that if we maintained good progress we could move through phases perhaps more quickly, or bring certain measures forward.

“In some instances, that’s what we hope now to be able to do. But I want to stress that we are taking, and will continue to take, a cautious approach.

“Our aim remains maximum suppression of this virus because that is what will give us the firmest foundation to face whatever comes ahead.

“To deal with outbreaks such as those we’re seeing in other countries right now through targeted measures and also equip ourselves as best as possible to deal with any possible resurgence in the virus as we enter the winter months.”

Sturgeon’s comments came as she said Scotland is “not far away” from eliminating community transmission of Covid-19 if cases keep decreasing.

Scotland’s interim chief medical officer, Gregor Smith, agreed this could be “within reach” in the next few months.