On this day five years ago Scotland entered a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown - take a look back at all of the key events
On this day five years ago, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a strict lockdown of the entire UK as the world grappled with the coronavirus pandemic.
The restrictions brought a new way of living that has, in may ways, endured to this day.
Here, we break down all of the key events as Scotland tried to adapt to a new way of life.
March 24, 2020
The Highlands, Moray, Scotland and the UK woke up to a coronavirus lockdown with all non-essential shops closing, citizens instructed to stay at home as well as the enforcement of limits on outdoor exercise.
Only food stores, pharmacies and doctors surgeries remained open as well as other essential facilities.
Non-key workers worked from home and people were only permitted to leave their homes to buy essential food items but only infrequently.
March 26, 2020
Just a few days after lockdown was announced, the police were given the power to fine virus rule breakers.
The first ‘Clap for Carers’ was also held as the role of keyworkers became even more important.
People in Moray and across the UK were urged to stand at their doorstep or balcony in a nationwide simultaneous show of appreciation.
March 30, 2020
Businesses across the nation were forced to adapt to the new conditions or risk their future.
Lossiemouth-based business Windswept Brewing was forced to close its Tap Room Bar, wiping out 90 per cent of its trade.
But a new emphasis on the company’s online shopping set-up provided a lifeline as many other businesses across Scotland adapted in similar ways.
April 5, 2020
Lockdown proved difficult for many including Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood who on this day resigned from her position after failing to adhere to lockdown measures advised by herself.
Dr Calderwood admitted to visiting her second home in Fife on two consecutive weekends from her main home in Edinburgh while telling the rest of the country to stay at home.
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April 6, 2020
The following day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into intensive care after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus.
April 10, 2020
Moray Universal Credit claims soared to more than six times the national average as the impact of the pandemic hit the region particularly hard.
Businesses, which were struggling themselves, did all they could to help. The Aberlour Hotel painted a “stay safe” message on the hotel itself to help spread positivity with managing director Kellie Spooner delivering meals to the village’s elderly.
Similar gestures became commonplace across the country.
April 15, 2020
The pandemic affected every facet of life including sporting events.
On this day, the Scottish Championship, League 1 and League 2 seasons for 2019-20 were brought to a premature end halting Elgin City’s hopes for promotion as well as other north teams.
May 2, 2020
Testing for the virus became a vital part of combating it.
On May 2, a coronavirus drive through test centre run by the army was opened at Lossie Green in Elgin.
May 4, 2020
When the initial lockdown was announced in March 2020, many were under the impression that it would only be for a short time.
Just a few months later, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for a test, trace and isolate strategy but said it was “very likely” that lockdown would be extended.
May 21, 2020
After nearly two months of lockdown, the Scottish Government published its road map to easing some of the measures by May 28.
That included allowing people to meet one other household in small numbers outside, the resumption of activities like golf, tennis and bowls as well as allowing takeaways and garden centres to reopen.
June 24, 2020
The Scottish Government announced that pubs, restaurants and hair salons would be allowed to open again in three weeks time.
In addition, people from three different households would be allowed to meet up indoors.
June 29, 2020
Despite the easing of some restrictions, many businesses could not ride out the turmoil inflicted by the pandemic.
On June 29, the historic Garmouth Hotel, which had catered to customers for more than 150 years, closed its doors.
Sadly, the establishment’s closure was not an isolated occurrence over the course of the pandemic.
July 30, 2020
On this day First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a host of major reopenings including school returns, contact sports, concerts and more.
September 22, 2020
After the easing of many restrictions in the months prior, the Scottish Government was forced to announce stricter lockdown measures to combat increasing cases of coronavirus.
Visiting other households was no longer permitted anywhere in Scotland.
Pubs and restaurants were also ordered to close at 10pm and workers were encouraged to return to working at home where possible.
December 19, 2020
The Scottish Government announced a preventative three-week lockdown to start on Boxing Day to stem the flow of a more mobile variant of the virus which was spreading in England.
All areas of Scotland would be subject to travel bans for all but essential purposes.
January 4, 2021
Scotland went back into a full lockdown similar to the first lockdown in March the previous year as cases of coronavirus continued to rise.
January 25, 2021
The first appointments take place at the Fiona Elcock Centre in Elgin - a mass coronavirus vaccination centre set up in the town.
February 2, 2021
Lockdown in Scotland is extended until the end of February as the country’s “stay home” message remains in place.
February 23, 2021
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out the Scottish Government’s revised strategic framework and outlined how the country would emerge from lockdown.
The plans for easing lockdown were driven by data rather than by hard and fast dates, with the priority at the time focused on continuing to suppress the virus.
March 9, 2021
Ms Sturgeon, in another address to the nation, announced a number of "gradual and steady" changes that would speed up the country's lockdown exit.
That saw four adults from two households being allowed to meet locally outdoors from March 12.
From the same date, four people between the ages of 12 and 17, from four households, could meet and non-contact exercise would be allowed in groups of up to 15 for people of all ages.
March 23, 2021
The one year anniversary of lockdown was marked nationwide.
Staff members at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin observed a minute's silence to reflect on the events of the past year as many others across the nation followed suit.
April 5, 2021
Hairdressers, homeware shops and garden centres reopened to the public as lockdown eased further.
May 24, 2021
With Moray being moved back into level 2 of coronavirus restrictions, people were allowed to dine and drink indoors again as the nation started to return to normality.
August 3, 2021
The Scottish Government announced that the majority of Scotland’s coronavirus restrictions would be lifted on August 9.
Most notably, that meant an end to caps on the number of people who could meet together and the end of social distancing measures – although distancing was still advised.
December 21, 2021
Despite August’s announcement, new coronavirus restrictions were announced just months later as omicron became the dominant strain of the virus across Scotland.
Hospitality businesses took a major hit once again while indoor events such as concerts had fresh limitations enforced as well.
January 18, 2022
The Scottish Government announces that coronavirus-related restrictions will be removed with nightclubs reopening, large indoor events resuming and social distancing rules dropped.
April 30, 2022
Testing centres across the nation close and contact tracing ends.
May 5, 2023
The World Health Organisation declares that the virus no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
