Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the 11 council areas currently in level 4 will move down to a lower level on Friday.

She has said it is likely that these parts of Scotland - where more than two million people live - will be placed on level 3 as the Scottish Government adopt a "cautious" approach to fighting the spread of the disease.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon update: How to watch Covid levels review as big changes are due

So, here are some of the changes that will take place in level 3 and some of the curbs that will remain from the end of this working week.

Rules related to the home and meeting other people
* No in-home socialising 
* Six people from two households can meet outdoors and in public places such as hospitality settings open under restrictions
* Children under 12 do not count toward the 6/2 number and they also do not need to maintain social distancing.
* Young people aged between 12 and 17 can meet up in groups of up to six outdoors. These groups are not subject to the two household limit but physical distancing is required.

Shops 
All non essential shops - such as clothes and gifts stores - can reopen

Pubs cafes and restaurants
* Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors for the consumption of food and non alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks cannot be served. Last entry is 5pm and all venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 6pm. The hospitality sector should follow: sector guidance for tourism and hospitality
* The maximum number of people you can meet indoors and outdoors in a restaurant, café, pub or bar is 6 which can be from up to 2 separate households. 
* Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the total number of people permitted to gather indoors in a public place but do count towards the maximum of 2 households permitted to meet. For example a children’s party with 10 children from more than 2 separate households would not be allowable, but 6 adults and 4 children from 2 households could meet.
* Where an individual household includes more than 6 people they can continue to meet as a household in hospitality premises, although the venue may impose a smaller group limit.
* Table service and the wearing of face-coverings (unless exempt) when not seated by all customers is mandatory in all hospitality venues. When meeting people from more than one other household, you should think beforehand about what size of table you will need to keep physically distanced between members of your group. The venue you are visiting should be able to advise you of booking options.
* You will be asked by to provide your contact details for Test and Protect purposes. This information is retained for 21 days with a view to sharing with Test and Protect Teams, if required. 
* Hospitality venues are required to put in place additional measures to minimise transmission of Covid-19. For example hand sanitiser stations and adequate ventilation. There will also be signs to inform customers whether the venue is in a 2 metres or 1 metre social distancing area.
* You should stay at least two metres apart from people from other households at all times, unless the venue is operating 1 metre distancing due to additional measures being in place to avoid transmission. Physical distancing and good hand hygiene remain the most effective measures in reducing the transmission of Covid-19. Therefore, distancing requirements need to be maintained, where reasonably practicable, at all times, including when waiting to enter premises and when seated. 
* You should avoid visiting multiple hospitality premises on the same day. In particular, do not visit more than one pub or bar on the same day, as this increases the risk of transmission.
* Takeaways can still operate as normal, provided food and drink is sold for consumption off the premises. Face coverings and physical distancing rules must be followed.
* Hotels and other accommodation providers can still serve food to guests staying in their premises up to 10pm. Room service, including alcohol, is allowed as normal.

Leisure and entertainment 
All venues such as cinemas, bingo halls, nightclubs are closed

Close contact services
Close contact retail services are permitted to operate providing they follow Scottish Government guidance to ensure the safety of customers and staff. 

Close contact services include:

  • hairdressing and barbers
  • beauty and nail services (including make-up)
  • hair removal
  • indoor portrait photography
  • massage therapies
  • complementary and alternative medicine services requiring physical contact or close physical proximity between persons, but not osteopathy and chiropractic services
  • spa and wellness services

Transport
* Active travel (walk, run, cycle, wheel) where possible
* Avoid car sharing with people outside extended household wherever possible
* Avoid non-essential use of public transport
* Face coverings compulsory

Travel 
* You must not travel in or out of any local authority at level 3 or 4 including between areas with the same level 3 or 4 status unless it’s for essential reasons such as work or caring for another person
* The cross-Border ban on travelling to other parts of the UK and the Irish Republic remain in force for people living under all the restrictions level with exemptions such as for work and caring duties

Stadia and large scale events
Events not permitted, stadia closed to spectators

Places of worship
Open but restricted numbers to 50.

Life events

  • Weddings/civil partnerships – 20 person limit. 
  • Funerals – 20 person limit.
  • Wakes and receptions permitted, subject to 20 person limit

Schools and nursersies are open