THE Scottish Government has published information about how the country might adapt and ease lockdown measures imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘Coronavirus (Covid-19): framework for decision making’ document was released on Thursday, April 23.

The 26-page paper sheds light into how decision makers are preparing to move the country forward in the coming weeks and months.

And the key message is that while the current lockdown measures cannot remain in place indefinitely, there also cannot be a return to business as normal.

Instead, the documents said Scotland will have a "managed transition away from current restrictions".

It added: “It is likely that we will need small, incremental steps initially in terms of easing the measures.”

But no matter what changes are made in the coming weeks, physical distancing and good hand hygiene are almost certain to remain in place.

Large gatherings at pubs and in other social settings are also likely to be banned for a lengthy period of time.

And anyone at a high risk of severe illness from coronavirus – such as those in the shielded category - will "almost certainly" be required to continue some form of shielding.

The reason is that the Scottish Government will need people "to continue to live their lives in ways that minimise the spread of the virus".

But for the next few weeks at least, no changes will be made, as the document said: “Now is not the right time to relax restrictions.”

Whenever the lockdown is eased, a test, trace and isolate strategy has been identified as a key way of controlling the spread of Covid-19.

The Scottish Government paper said: “Our ability to ease restrictions will be related to our testing and tracing capacity and, ultimately, to issues like the public uptake and acceptance of (possibly repeated) testing of individuals.”

The details included within the document were praised by Clacks MSP Keith Brown.

He said: “It is only when we are sure the virus is under control that we can even start to ease any of the restrictions because the virus will not have gone away.

“There are no easy answers – but it is right for the Scottish Government to be clear about the factors that will inform decision making.

“In the coming days and weeks members of the public will be invited to contribute their thoughts and views on the next steps we must make together.

“Unfortunately, returning to what we regard as a normal life will not be possible in the near future so we need to prepare for a new normal until treatments and a vaccine offer different solutions.

“While these measures are difficult for all of us, they are saving lives and protecting our NHS.”

Visit tinyurl.com/y7j4ob7l to read the ‘Coronavirus (Covid-19): framework for decision making’