Setting out the government’s options for lifting the coronavirus lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon warned that “extreme caution” will have to be exercised at all stages adding that “where home working is possible we are likely to insist on that for the foreseeable future”.

The current lockdown is due to be reviewed on Thursday and Ms Sturgeon has already said that significant changes are unlikely.

In her daily briefing at St Andrew’s House on Tuesday, the First Minister said the careful, gradual and safe re-opening of businesses “is a major area of work, for obvious reasons”.

She added: “We need to work with business and with trade unions to consider the practical arrangements for different work environments to start up safely - that’s changes to working practices, physical layouts of workplaces, the appropriate use of PPE and the operation of public transport. On this, we are looking carefully at the work the UK government is doing and consulting our own stakeholders on that.

“Initially, we are giving particular consideration to businesses in the construction, retail and manufacturing sectors – and also to some outdoor and rural businesses.

“However, where home working is possible, we are very likely to insist on that for the foreseeable future.

“And I want to be very clear that as of now current guidance to business remains in place.”

The Framework for Decision Making, which was published ahead of the briefing, added: “The Construction Leadership Forum is developing a five-phase plan to support the restart of that sector, when it is safe to do so.”

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