Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

A return to normality is not within reach. That was Nicola Sturgeon’s key message today — even when lockdown restrictions are being lifted, it will only happen gradually.

Social distancing is here to stay, perhaps until the end of this year, perhaps into 2021. We will need to adjust to a “new normal”.

Might that be different in Scotland compared to other parts of the UK? The first minister certainly reserves the right to take a distinctive approach if that’s what the science suggests would work best.

But Ms Sturgeon has previously told me she would “ideally” like to lift lockdown in line with other nations of the UK - not least to avoid confusing the public about what they can and can’t do.

The Scottish government is not convinced the UK as a whole has found the right approach to international travel.

If restrictions on movement are to be lifted at home, they want the UK government to consider what restrictions might be required for those arriving from abroad. Many countries have already imposed quarantine or closed borders.

Expect Scottish ministers to keep questioning what’s being done at the UK border to stop new Covid-19 cases arriving through our ports.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Radio Scotland's Drivetime with John Beattie is about to begin.

Here's what's on the programme today:

• Nicola Sturgeon says some form of social distancing restrictions could remain in place for the rest of the year
• So how do you feel about the measures continuing? Do get in touch on 80295
• Test, trace and isolate - this is the plan that'll hopefully get us out of lockdown, but how soon can it be reliably achieved? John has been speaking to former Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns

• And how do you practice social distancing if you're visually impaired? We'll hear from one woman who's registered blind

The World Health Organization has also been briefing about the "deeply concerning" coronavirus toll among care home residents across Europe.

"There is no fast track to the new normal" said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, who warned the world would remain in "very turbulent water" for some time to come.

Watch what else he had to say.

Image source, Getty Images

Dundee University is to run the first Scottish-led trial into a drug which aims to tackle the symptoms of Covid-19.

Researchers at the university will trial brensocatib, which is being developed to treat lung inflammation in Covid-19 patients.

The team will investigate whether the drug can stop the disease attacking the lungs, reducing injury and preventing the need for mechanical ventilation.

Volunteers will be sought from May.

Read more here.

Image source, Keiran Watson

An 11-year-old Falkirk boy's artistic tribute to NHS staff is helping to pay for protective face masks for front-line staff.

Kieran Watson's design, showing key workers "carrying the country", went viral on social media and has been shared more than 170,000 times.

It has now been turned into fridge magnets by design company Inov3D which are being sold to raise funds for 3D-printed visors.

Find out more about the scheme here., external

Image source, Keiran Watson

A total of 18,738 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 17:00 BST on Wednesday, the Department of Health says, up by 616 from the previous day.

The figures do not include those who died in care homes or in the community.

Image source, NHS Borders/Cunningham Family

Tributes have been paid to a nurse who died in Borders General Hospital from Covid-19.

Angie Cunningham died on Wednesday in the hospital's intensive care unit

A joint statement from NHS Borders and her family described Ms Cunningham as a "much loved wife, mother, sister, granny and great granny" and said she was "a friend to many more".

Ms Cunningham had worked with NHS Borders for more than 30 years.

Ken Banks
BBC Scotland North East and Northern Isles reporter

The annual Nuart street art festival should have been getting under way in Aberdeen, but the locations which would usually be full of crowds are deserted.

The festival - which took place for the first time in 2017 - involves artists from around the world creating eye-catching designs on walls and the sides of buildings.

This year's event had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but organisers hope to be able to stage it in some form later this year.

Images show the contrast between the busy streets of previous years and the current empty city.

Read more

Lisa Summers
BBC Scotland Health Correspondent

Image source, PA Media

Test, Trace, Isolate. That is key to the public health strategy for the next stage in controlling this virus.

The first minister says being able to test those who may have the virus, trace those they have been in contact with, and then implement a strict strategy of isolation is the way to break the "chain of transmission".

To do this successfully means much wider testing in the population and the ability to do that is not yet there.

Laboratory capacity in Scotland is being scaled up as part of UK wide efforts but there is still a shortage of key equipment to make it happen.

They need to work out how to contact trace, tapping into smart phone data would raise questions over privacy and human rights. And they need a workforce to physically carry this out on a large scale.

The health secretary today said some of the 20,000 retired medical staff or students who have come back to the health service might be deployed to do this.

But nothing has yet been confirmed.

Here are the main points from today’s briefing in relation to the publication of the framework document , externaloutlining the basis of an exit strategy:

• the first minister says Scotland not yet able to ease the lockdown
• Ms Sturgeon says: "A return to normal as we knew it is not on the cards in the near future"
• some measures will have to remain in place into next year
• the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown is likely to be phased

Image source, bbc

• gatherings in pubs and at public events are likely to be banned or restricted for some months to come.
• only businesses that can ensure social distancing are likely to reopen initially
• all pupils might not be able to attend school at the same time because of social distancing rules
• Scotland will have to find a "new normal", which involves "living alongside the virus in a form which keeps it under control"

The first minister also called on the public to engage with the government and read the document, so here it is : Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making, external

Read more here.

Andrew Learmonth of The National asks if kids will be back in school before summer, just redesigned.

Nicola Sturgeon reiterates discussions are at an early stage, but some options for schools include having desks further apart or some kids attending in alternating weeks.

It is not a binary of schools being opened or closed, but there may be an in-between phase where they are open but not as normal, she adds.

“We can’t guarantee schools will be back before the summer but if they can be in any way we would want that to happen.”

In this session, up to 14 Members will have the chance to question Education Secretary John Swinney who is leading on the Scottish government’s response in this area.

He will be joined by:

• Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science
• Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People
• Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills

You can watch the virtual questions and answers here with us on the live page.

Dr Gregor Smith explains R-number signifies the level of transmission so the lower this is, the better.

The interim CMO says it is not realistic we will eradicate the virus but we can ensure we have the best possible chance of managing transmission.

He adds that to have fallen from above three to between 0.6 and one is “quite remarkable”, but the truth is we do not have sufficient data to say where exactly the number is.

Another journalist asks about reintroducing test, trace and isolate.

Dr Smith suggests given the likely numbers involved in contact tracing, it is probable staff will need to be augmented from elsewhere.

The health secretary explains we are still waiting for the data on what the scale will need to be, but the government is not only looking at numbers of tests but also what skills will be needed elsewhere in the NHS. Returners and students could be used to assist with contact tracing and advice, she adds, while the use of digital technology is also being considered.

As the media briefing continues the first minister insists she is not looking to a different approach in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

The first minister says: “My starting point is how do we best tackle this virus.”

On the all important reproduction rate or “R number”, Ms Sturgeon points out we are not sure where that number is exactly, but broader surveillance will allow that to be clarified.

The R number has only come down because everyone is living in lockdown, she says.

The first minister also pledges to give as much information and advice to the organisers of big events, but she cannot conceive of large gatherings in for some months to come.

Peter McMahon from ITV Border says there is little chance outdoor activity centres will open in the summer, so what support is on

We are asking people to live their lives in unprecedented ways, so the support from the government must be unprecedented, replies the first minister.

She says she does not want any business to be closed longer than necessary or any restrictions to be in place longer than necessary.

Image source, Getty Images

Ross Govans from STV asks whether the easing of restrictions in rural communities or islands is being considered.

The first minister says she is not ruling anything out yet and if the evidence says geographic variations will help the government will do that.

But she says there is also the issue of maintaining a clear message, which could be undermined if there is more complexity.