Sturgeon said the Scottish government was targeting a "significant re-opening" of Scotland’s economy in the last week of April.

This, she said on Tuesday (23 February), would likely include non-essential retail premises.

The government hopes to lift the country’s current stay at home order from 5 April, with the nation then returning to levelled restrictions – starting at level three.

"This could mean that from the last week of April, we would expect to see phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non-essential retail," said the Scottish government.

Sturgeon confirmed there would be a three-week gap between each effort to ease the country’s Covid restrictions, guided by six conditions set out by the World Health Organization.

According to the progress of the country’s vaccination programme, location-specific restrictions will allow for a more targeted approach.

“At the moment, and for a bit longer, we need to rely very heavily on restrictions to suppress the virus," said Sturgeon.

“In time though, we hope vaccination will become our main tool for suppressing the virus.

“The framework is deliberately cautious at this stage, but in the coming weeks, if the data allows and positive trends continue, we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions.”