As further restrictions are relaxed to ease us out of lockdown, what rules are changing and when?

With the country opening up a little more on Friday, here are five things about the state of the pandemic.

People will be allowed to meet in larger groups outdoors and take day trips across Scotland from Friday.

Invitations will be sent out to those in this age group from this week, the first minister confirms.

Despite the improvement, exports still remain below 2020 levels, the UK statistics body says.

Secondary pupils in six councils are among those returning for full-time, in-class lessons for the first time in months.

The drop in England and Wales comes amid efforts to reassure the public about vaccine safety.

A decline in cases has stalled but deaths have not followed the same pattern, scientists say.

The vaccine is the third to be used in the UK, with England's rollout due "in the next few days".

Researchers looked at how likely 600,000 patients were to develop one of 14 common brain conditions.

Pupils will no longer have to follow strict two metre physical distancing rules when they return.

The WHO says the situation in the wider Europe region is more worrying than it has been in several months.

The charge has been 5p since it was introduced in 2014, prompting a drastic decline in plastic bag usage.

People are being told to "stay local" and remain within their local council area for the following three weeks.

Boris Johnson and more than 20 other leaders say another health crisis is a matter of "not if, but when".

The leaders of Scotland's five larger political parties will take part in the BBC Scotland debate.

Latest figures from the ONS hint at an increase in years 7 to 11 in schools in England.

The bloc tells AstraZeneca to honour its EU contracts but backs global supply chains.

The culture secretary described the flag as "a proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us".

The Scottish government praised staff for their "service and dedication" during the Covid pandemic.

After weeks of tension over Covid vaccine supplies, the two sides now say they are working together.

But Boris Johnson immediately retracts the comments made during a Zoom meeting with Tory MPs.

More oil and gas wells are to be drilled in the North Sea, the UK government announces.

The Queen reflects on the "grief and loss felt by so many" as the country holds a minute's silence.

The decline suggests the winter wave of coronavirus deaths has ended, experts say.

Boris Johnson says the UK will "feel effects" of growing case numbers in Europe amid a row over vaccines.

EU leaders will hold a virtual summit on Thursday to discuss the fate of vaccines made on the continent.

Six other countries were worse affected during the second wave of the pandemic, according to ONS figures.

Regulators give reassurance and advice on rare blood clot symptoms, such as headache lasting days.

Despite the supply issues, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the government expects to meet its mid-April targets.

Bank of England says a rebound is likely in 2021, but it still depends on the "evolution of the pandemic".

It is understood a shipment of five million AstraZeneca doses to the UK has been held up by four weeks.

The Scottish government says ScotRail will be taken into public ownership in March 2022.

Local health organisations in England have been told to expect a reduced vaccine supply in April.

The England rollout comes as figures show nearly half of UK adults have had one dose.

The UK will also shift focus towards Indo-Pacific countries, following a year-long foreign policy review.

The reassessment of security and defence also paves the way for the UK to increase stocks of nuclear weapons.

Senior figures tell the BBC Boris Johnson should have been tougher in the autumn to prevent more deaths.

All over 50s could be vaccinated ahead of schedule, thanks to good supplies, say experts.

Secondary students were among those returning to the classroom - but initially on a part-time basis.

The UK government has said more than 1,000 civil service roles in total are to be relocated to Scotland

Official figures show a sharp drop in trade in goods with the EU as the Brexit transition period ended.

Stirling and Glasgow were the last of the 32 authorities to consider a council tax freeze in meetings on Thursday.

Boris Johnson "corrects" the European Council president over claims about the government's stance.

An EU diplomat is summoned to the Foreign Office following comments by the bloc's top official.

The oil giant told staff last month that the new model will start for office-based staff this summer.

The first minister says it will be the first step out of lockdown, but urges people not to get carried away.

Tariffs on UK cheese and cashmere will also be lifted as the countries try to resolve an old trade row.

Rapid approval without lengthy tests can happen if new vaccines are needed to fight variants, say regulators.

The recommendation comes from the Scottish government's Covid advisory group on education.

The latest Brexit flare up is over checks on goods to NI, which remains in the EU's single market.

As part of the phased return of pupils across Scotland, children in P4-P7 will also return full time.

The chancellor is to provide more funding for the programme, which has now given 20m first doses.

Over-40s will be first in line from mid-April after the top nine priority groups receive one dose.

The move to the second-highest level means the NHS is no longer at imminent risk of being overwhelmed.

Using World Health Organization measures, it is possible to chart Scotland's progress in tackling Covid-19.

Covid "devastated" air travel in 2020, the UK's largest airport says, as it sinks to a £2bn loss.

Having to show a certificate to go to a pub raises "deep and complex issues", Boris Johnson says.

First evidence from the UK's vaccine programme shows a reduction in hospital admissions in Scotland.

The new agency will help "cement the UK's position as a science superpower", the government says.

Deaths among the oldest age group are falling, but is this "hard evidence" the vaccine is working?

Scotland's national clinical director says a Covid elimination strategy would stop international travel.

There is now "hard evidence" that the vaccine programme is starting to reduce the number of deaths.

More people in this age group in England now have detectable antibodies that can fight the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon says the latest milestone has been reached - but that progress will slow in the coming days.

Concerns have been raised about the virus spreading if Scotland-bound travellers in England use public transport.

Data suggests lockdown is working, but the health secretary says there is "still a long way to go".

The size of the economy shrank by 9.9% in 2020 as coronavirus restrictions hit output, figures show.

The two sides vow to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol and "address all outstanding issues".

Amsterdam ousts London in the wake of Brexit changes, as the Bank of England warns over EU financial rules.

The aim is for health and social care to join up more, but Labour questions the timing of the move.

The country has received lower Pfizer vaccine stocks than expected due to a reduction in manufacturing capacity.

Parts of Scotland are affected by heavy snowfall as temperature hits 11-year low.

People arriving in England from Covid hotspots also face £10,000 fines or jail if they break the rules.

Chairman Peter Cowgill says the new EU trade deal has meant "double-digit millions" in extra costs.

The spider crab and megrim sole are to be rebranded to get rid of "negative connotations".

A small study suggests the AstraZeneca vaccine may be less effective against the South African variant.

A national booking system is available in England that can be accessed online.

Brexit gives one of the UK's most important sectors the chance to define its own agenda, he said.

High Street banks are also told to prepare for the possibility that interest rates could fall below zero.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen examined factors across the 37 worst hit countries.

An improved jab that will be more effective against variants can be made quickly, says Oxford-AstraZeneca.

Multiple factors will determine when an easing of restrictions comes, from vaccine effectiveness to hospital admissions rates.

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give details on the opening of schools to "some" children.

The PM says it relies on factors such as the vaccine rollout going well and Covid cases coming down.

The NI Executive also announces summer extension to light touch approach to Irish Sea border for pets.

The European Commission argues the drug-maker is failing to fulfil its promises on the Covid jab.

Boris Johnson says most people in Scotland are focused on defeating Covid rather than another referendum.

The PM sets the date he hopes England's lockdown will begin to ease, but warns of a "perilous situation".

Nicola Sturgeon says she is concerned the UK's travel restrictions will not go far enough.

The boss of Scotland's Railways says "difficult decisions" have to be made to save taxpayer money.

The Scottish government wants to keep Scotland involved with the EU's education programme.

The EU calls for "fair" distribution after vaccine companies cut back on pledged supplies.

Boris Johnson says he understands parents' frustrations but the infection rate is "still very high".

The UK's nations and regions are being treated as if they were "invisible", the former PM warns.

The Japanese car maker has told the BBC its Sunderland plant is secure for the long term.

Modelling suggests that lockdown has "stabilised" the spread of new cases in Scotland.

The youngest and oldest pupils, plus those with additional support needs will be among the first to return to classrooms.

The ex-government adviser said the Tories would be seen as the "nasty party" by ending the top-up.

Mainland Scotland and some islands to remain under toughest coronavirus rules until at least mid-February.

Boris Johnson promises £23m in compensation for exporters which have lost orders due to delays.

Scotland's education secretary says it will be a challenge for schools to reopen as normal by 1st February.

On Wednesday the PM said businesses hit by post-Brexit problems would receive support.

Restrictions around takeaway food and click-and-collect services in Scotland are to be toughened.

The increasing number of staff off work could prevent the NHS Louisa Jordan opening to Covid patients.

About 560,000 people will have been vaccinated by the beginning of next month, the health secretary says.

Seventeen million doses have been ordered by the UK and are expected to arrive in spring.

That includes some of the most vulnerable patients who should soon have "significant" protection against the virus.

Mainland Scotland faces tougher restrictions from midnight, and schools will remain closed until February.

Some EU specialist firms stop delivering to the UK because of tax changes that took effect on 1 January.

The government insists borders systems will cope when changes to trade and travel kick in at 11pm.

The UK's hard-fought agreement with the EU is set to come into force at 23:00 GMT on Thursday.

The deal between the UK and EU ends months of arguments over business rules and fishing rights.

Officials continue to thrash out final details, after weeks of argument over fishing and business rules.

Talks are continuing in Brussels, with less than 10 days to go until the UK leaves EU trading rules.

Similar new variants of the coronavirus may be circulating undetected around the world, scientists say.

Michel Barnier says it is now "the moment of truth", while Boris Johnson warns of "difficult" talks.

The PM and the EU Commission head speak again by phone, and acknowledge differences remain.

In a blow to campaigners, judges say ministers' decision to approve the runway was legitimate.

Boris Johnson and his EU counterpart are due to make a decision on the future of talks shortly.

Boris Johnson urges Brussels to make a "big change" as the deadline set by the two sides approaches.

Boris Johnson says negotiations with the EU will continue, but are "not yet there at all".

The EU's contingency plans for "no deal" include measures to ensure smooth air and road travel.

Sunday becomes the new deadline for a decision on trade talks, after the PM and EU chief meet in Brussels.

The UK and EU say "significant differences" still remain as the leaders prepare to talk face-to-face.

The UK says it is still working for a deal, but the EU's mood is described as "gloomy".

EU sources say the two sides are nearing an agreement on access to UK waters by EU fishing fleets.

EU and UK negotiators call in leaders in last ditch effort to secure a trade deal.

Boris Johnson and European Commission chief Ursula Von Der Leyen will seek to break deadlock on Saturday.

The UK warns chances of a breakthrough are "receding", as it negotiates with the EU over business rules.

As pizza-fuelled talks continue into the night, there appears to be stuff worth chewing over.

Nicola Sturgeon says the one-off cash payment is to thank health staff for their "extraordinary service".

Rishi Sunak's spending review comes amid a difficult economic backdrop caused by the pandemic.

Drop plans to rewrite withdrawal agreement by end of month or risk scuppering trade deal, UK is told.