IT is “probable” that people living in Scotland will need to continue wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces like shops or public transport beyond August 9, the First Minister has advised.

Speaking at a Covid-19 briefing this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon set out why she would not be following England’s “abrupt” abandonment of coronavirus restrictions.

Referring to concerns over the Delta variant and high case levels, Sturgeon expressed now is a time for “caution”.

While England is scrapping masks, distancing and other legal restrictions from July 19, Scotland’s date for lifting major rules is August 9.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon rejects England's 'abrupt' end to 'basic' Covid restrictions

Although the First Minister will set out more details on the easing of restrictions next Tuesday, she said it is “probable” that masks will remain beyond that August 9 date.

Sturgeon said mask wearing will probably continue “for a period” and accepted it will be “really irritating” at times.

The First Minister is also concerned that July 19 changes will cause confusion in Scotland, as the news south of the Border “dominates” the agenda.

Sturgeon rejected England’s approach to easing restrictions during today’s briefing.

“This is a moment for care and caution,” she told viewers. “And that’s not true just for us here in Scotland, although we are undoubtedly at the sharp end of this Delta curve. But increasingly we see and hear other countries faced with an accelerating Delta wave also re-emphasise the need for caution.

“It is worth pointing out, and I’m doing this non-pejoratively, just as a statement of fact and because the pressure is always there for Scotland to follow suit. I think it is worth pointing out that the path the UK Government is embarking on for England, which is entirely a matter for them, a path of not just lifting all restrictions from July 19 but also removing the requirement for basis mitigations like face masks, and doing so against the backdrop of sharply increasing case numbers, is something of an exception.

“So while I totally understand the desire that some have for us to follow suit in every single respect, we have to think carefully about the steps we do take at this juncture.

“My job is not to take the easy decisions in a quest for popularity, it’s to do what I think is most likely to keep the country as safe as possible as we get to the end of the vaccination programme.”