Scotland is “likely” to maintain COVID restrictions for a further three weeks from 28 June, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking in Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon did not rule out the further easing of restrictions, but said the Scottish government needed to “buy ourselves sufficient time” to allow the vaccination programme to continue its work.

A three-week delay would allow more people to receive a second coronavirus vaccine amid concerns about rising cases of the Delta variant, the first minister added.

Scotland was previously expected to move into Level 0 on Monday 28 June, but Ms Sturgeon said the transition is now more likely to happen on 19 July, in line with England.

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