Cautiously optimistic we have turned the corner on Omicron

Hospitality limits set to be lifted Case numbers halve in just a week

- PAUL HUTCHEON

NICOLA Sturgeon is expected to announce a lifting of restrictions on pubs and restaurants after declaring she is cautiously optimistic about falling Covid infection numbers.

Table service requirements could be axed, while limits on indoor live events are also in line to be scrapped.

However, ministers will also make a decision on whether to extend vaccine passports to hospitality venues.

New restrictions were brought in after Christmas in a bid to control the Omicron variant.

These included a 500-person limit for outdoor events such as football, with caps for indoor standing events and indoor seated events set at 100 and 200.

Restrictions for pubs and restaurants were also introduced and nightclubs were closed. The 500-fan curb came to an end yesterday and Sturgeon said last week she hoped to scrap the limits on indoor live events, table service in hospitality and social distancing in indoor public places from Monday.

It is expected the changes will be approved today.