Evening folks,

We hope you're all keeping well and are managing to get your daily exercise in without any problems. It's important that we can get outside for a walk, run, or cycle for a change of scene as well as the physical and mental health benefits.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has indicated that a lockdown exit strategy is already being worked on while there has been an ongoing row over claims protective equipment (PPE) is being prioritised to England.

Scotland's death toll from COVID-19 has reached 615 - although the true total is thought to be much higher - with nearly 1,800 people being treated in hospital for the virus. 

National Clinical Director Professior Jason Leitch has warned Scotland should not lift lockdown restrictions yet, as he revealed the measures would be phased out 'gently and safely' but stressed the country was 'not there yet'.  Read more>>>

Elsewhere, a town in Perthshire has turned an old phone box into a community larder to help struggling locals. Read more here>>>

Stay safe,

Your Scotsman team

Here are this evening's headlines:

• Scotland's coronavirus death toll has reached 615 with 6,358 positive cases
• 1,798 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
• Discussions have started on how to devise Scotland's exit strategy from the Coronavirus lockdown - but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stressed it won't happen soon
• Prof. Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director for the Scottish Goverment, has warned that lockdown measures should not be lifted just yet
• Scottish Care chief Dr Donald Macaskill claims care homes are suffering from a lack of PPE, telling the BBC that suppliers are prioritising the NHS in England
• UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have both insisted suppliers have not been told to prioritise England over Scotland
• The total number of deaths in the UK has reached 12,107
• UK economy could shrink by 35% if the lockdown lasts three months, a tax watchdog warns
• The new NHS Birmingham Nightingale Hospital currently has no patients or staff - because the 23 local hospitals that feed into it haven't needed to use it
• More than 1.94 million people worldwide have now tested positive for the virus, while 465,073 have recovered