RESTRICTIONS are set to further ease this week with people in Clacks being asked to "stay local".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the "stay at home" order will be lifted in Scotland this Friday, April 2.

It will be replaced with a requirement to "stay local", within the council area people reside in.

In her update yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: "The stay at home rule is being replaced for the next three weeks at least with a requirement to stay local.

"That means the current travel restrictions, which prevent non-essential travel outside your own local authority area, will remain in place for another three weeks.

"I fully understand how frustrating that is for everybody – I share that frustration – like many of you, my family live in a different local authority to the one I live in, and so like anyone with loved ones in a different part of the country, I desperately want to see them in person."

More services will also be allowed to re-open from Monday, April 5.

These will include barbers and hairdressers, garden centres, car showrooms and forecourts, homeware stores and non-essential click and collect services.

All will be subject to enhanced safety measures, including physical distancing, face coverings and booking in advanced where appropriate.

It was also confirmed that more college students will be able to return to on-campus learning and young people aged 12-17 will be able to resume outdoor contact sports as well.

Following her update, Ms Sturgeon added: "It will be easier to relax more restrictions in the future if case numbers remain under control, so when things open up slightly this weekend please continue to stick to the rules, and follow the advice and the instructions given by store staff to keep you and the other customers safe."