Scotland’s potential moves to Level 0 on July 19 and away from coronavirus restrictions altogether by August 9 have been described as “a light at the end of a very long tunnel”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out a series of vaccination milestones on Tuesday and told the Scottish Parliament if these criteria are met, the majority of restrictions could be lifted by the latter date.

Marc Crothall, Scottish Tourism Alliance chief executive, called the news a “very big step in the right direction… and a light at the end of a very long tunnel”.

He said: “The First Minister’s announcement that the easing of restrictions will be delayed for the next three weeks will be disappointing for tourism businesses across Scotland, despite this being what we had all anticipated, particularly with schools breaking up this week and people planning days out and holidays.

“This is particularly impactful on larger self-catering properties where the restrictions on the number of people who can stay in one property remain in place; July 19 is almost three weeks into our summer season and I know that many within the self-catering sector will be extremely anxious about business losses during this period and will be hoping there will be some more support to compensate.

“We now need to ensure there is a strong, highly visible marketing campaign to attract the UK market to Scotland for an extended period beyond the Scottish school summer holiday and well into the autumn.

“That said, the announcement that Scotland will move to Level 0 on the provisional date of July 19 is welcome relief for the sector and indeed the supply chain, as is the confirmation of the indicative date of August 9 for moving beyond Level 0.

“This target date of August 9 will give all of Scotland’s tourism industry a welcome boost, particularly the sectors which have been impacted so significantly by physical distancing rules such as hospitality, visitor attractions, adventure operators and marine tourism businesses.

“I know that my colleagues in the Scottish Wedding Industry Alliance will also be appreciative of the announcements today which will allow the sector to operate in the most normal conditions we’ve known since the outbreak of the pandemic.”

Now, we have a clear timeline, we can plan in partnership with our employees how and when we will be returning to our offices

Dr Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive, said businesses “can finally breathe a sigh of relief”.

She added: “We are firmly heading in the right direction which will allow businesses to plan ahead and we must now all do what we can to ensure the plan is implemented without the need for further delay.

“However, as long as restrictions remain in place, it is essential that the Scottish and UK Governments continue to provide focused and targeted financial support as well as supporting businesses in the longer-term as they recover from this unprecedented period of economic disruption.

“Office-based businesses had been crying out for clarity on when we can get back to business. Now, we have a clear timeline, we can plan in partnership with our employees how and when we will be returning to our offices.

“Re-opening of offices will benefit employee morale and mental health and allow businesses to consult with staff on increased flexibility in the workplace to tackle inequalities, attract talent and retain skills in the economy.

“Scotland’s tourism sector, which supports so many jobs and businesses in every part of Scotland, has been one of the hardest hits by the restrictions on international travel and the business community need greater detail on when our borders will re-open and Scotland will start welcoming international visitors again.

“We would urge the UK, Scottish and other Governments to work together, in a four nations approach, to allow international travel to return safely and as quickly as possible.”

Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland policy chairman, said: “Today’s statement confirms that Scotland’s business community will be locked in a holding pattern until at least mid-July.

“But the new late summer dates for the further winding down of restrictions offer firms a landing zone for which to prepare.

“The impact of the current public health measures isn’t distributed evenly across the economy, but rather it is concentrated on the firms and sectors which either can’t trade due to tough restrictions or have seen their markets collapse.

“As policymakers consider winding down large-scale business support mechanisms, we’d urge them to look at what additional help can be made available for the hardest hit operators, many of which are running on close to empty.

“Ministers are right to try to plot Scotland’s course toward greater normality. But the lifting of restrictions does not guarantee recovery for firms, especially those saddled with new debt.

“That’s why we want to work with the Scottish Government to develop a small business recovery plan to help local firms across the country get back on their feet.”