In her speech to the Scottish Parliament today (February 22), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a series of major changes will be taking place next month.
Recently PM Boris Johnson announced that England would be scrapping all of their remaining covid rules - including the need to self-isolate after testing positive.
However whilst this has divided some, the FM remained clear on what would be happening in Scotland.
One of the rules that is set to be scrapped is the need to wear face masks - this means that as of March 21, masks will be ditched and people will no longer need to wear them in Scotland.
This is down to personal preference, with the FM stating that if people want to wear them they should and the advice to wear them will remain in place to prevent the spread of covid.
Ending this legal requirement should go ahead so long as there are no "significant adverse developments" the FM said.
In addition to this, Nicola Sturgeon also gave an update on the latest rules for self-isolation and testing in Scotland as well as if they will remain free.
So what are these rules? We explain them all below...
Self-isolation rules in Scotland will not be scrapped - unlike England
England has recently updated their rules regarding self-isolation which are set to to be scrapped on Thursday - however Scotland will not follow suit.
In her covid speech today, Nicola Sturgeon said that she was 'frustrated' at PM Boris Johnson for the changes to England's covid rules - although, the FM stated that she understood it was up to him and how he tackled the virus south of the border.
This means that for those living in Scotland, people will be asked to isolate for the current required period if they test positive, adding they will "continue to make self isolation support payments available to those who are eligible."
The reason for keeping this in place is because it can help limit the overall transmission of the virus and keep workplaces safe as well as protecting those most at risk of serious harm.
Covid testing in Scotland - will PCR and LFTs remain free?
Nicola Sturgeon has said that despite England scrapping their self-isolation rules when an individual test positive, Scotland will keep their rules in place to prevent the virus from spreading.
As well as making her opinions clear on the PM's covid rules, she also said she was frustrated that there was no guarantee on Treasury funding to continue with free covid tests.
If you have symptoms, you should take a PCR test which will remain free.
If you do not have covid symptoms, it's recommended that you take LFTs (lateral flow tests) just as it was advised before.
However Sturgeon also noted that instead of asking people to test before going anywhere to mix with others, from Monday (February 28) the advice will revert back to its original by asking people to test twice weekly - especially if you are going to a place with crowds.
She added: "Indeed, we consider it important - in line with the principle of healthcare free at the point of use - that they should remain free of charge for any circumstance in which government recommends testing."
She also announced that Scotland would move from mass population testing to a more targeted testing system.
She explained: "I will set out our commitment to continued access to PCR and lateral flow testing free of charge and our continued advice that those testing positive should isolate, while we transition to a system of testing that is more targeted but which retains adequate capacity to support surveillance; rapid response to the emergence of new variants; effective outbreak management; and access to the best care and treatment for those who need it.
"I want to give an assurance that the Scottish Government is determined to retain a robust testing
system capable of providing Scotland with strong resilience against future covid threats, and firmly aligned with public health advice and the principles underpinning our National Health Service."
