The first minister says Test and Protect is a really important tool to allow easing of the lockdown. But physical distancing, good hygiene and following advice will continue to be essential.

It will only work if we all come forward for testing if we have symptoms and we all self-isolate when asked to do so, she says.

"It will be a collective national endeavour.

"All of us will have to agree to make sacrifices for the common good."

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister says if you receive a call from a contact tracer to say you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you will be asked to self-isolate immediately.

Ms Sturgeon says guidance has been published for employers to support any staff who have been asked to do this.

She says the Scottish government is in touch with the UK government about issues like statutory sick pay.

There is also general advice being published today for people who are being asked to self-isolate.

She reiterates there will be a public awareness campaign launched later this week.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister explains that if you test positive you will be asked for details of people you have been in contact with.

The definition of a contact is:

• people within your household
• people you've had face-to-face contact with
• people you've been within 2m o for a period of 15 minutes or more.

The first minister insists: "Your privacy will be respected at all times during this process."

Image source, getty

The first minister says you can book a test online for the drive-through test centres, mobile test centres or for some there will be the option of a home testing kit.

Ms Sturgeon adds work will be done to improve local access to testing in the coming weeks.

She says if you phone NHS 24 you will speak to an adviser who will book you in for a test.

The first minister says while you wait for your test and the result, it is essential that you and your household self-isolate.

That means staying at home at all times with the exception of going out for the test, she tells the briefing.

Ms Sturgeon pivots to what the government is asking the public to do.

She stresses this is something that will only have the desired effect if we all do what is required.

"It cannot be seen as optional."

A public awareness campaign will start later this week and in June information will be delivered to every household.

As of Thursday if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19 - a cough, a temperature or a loss of taste or smell - you must take immediate steps to book a test, she explains.

"Time is of the essence here, so get in touch as soon as you experience symptoms."

You can do this by going to NHS Inform, external or call NHS 24 on 0800 028 2816.

Image source, Getty Images

"This is a system that will operate at a scale not seen before in Scotland," says the first minister.

Enhancements to the system will be added in the next few weeks, adding a digital platform to allow people to enter details of their contacts online, if they are found to have the virus.

Nicola Sturgeon says testing capacity will be increased and work will be done to make access to testing more accessible.

Image source, getty

The first minister says to launch Test and Protect there must be the ability to conduct more than 15,000 tests a day.

"I can confirm this capacity is now in place.

"That capacity is being delivered through a combination of NHS labs, academic partners, the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service and the Lighthouse lab in Glasgow."

She says the software for contact tracing has been piloted and it will be operational in every health board by Thursday.

The first minister says around 700 contact tracers will actually be needed in the early phase, however she confirms that by the end of the month there will be a pool of around 2,000 to draw on.

Ms Sturgeon says on 4 May the initial plans were published and the system will go live on Thursday of this week.

The first minister says Test and Protect will be an extremely important tool in the months ahead, helping to suppress the virus while lockdown is slowly eased.

She stresses: "It will only be effective if we all play our part."

The first minister moves on to talk about the launch of NHS Scotland's test, trace and isolate programme, which will be called Test and Protect.

Nicola Sturgeon says from the end of this week, anyone suspecting they have Covid-19 or has symptoms, will be tested.

If you test positive your close contacts will be informed and advised to isolate for 14 days.

"The aim of Test and Protect is to quickly identify cases of the virus and then act to break the chains of transmission."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirms 15,185 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 29 from yesterday.

1,200 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (down 69), with 36 patients being treated in intensive care (down four).

3,589 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus since 5 March.

A further 18 people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 2,291 deaths in Scotland by that measure. She highlights registration may have been lower owing to the bank holiday yesterday.

Image source, bbc

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to outline the Test and Protect strategy at the 12.30pm Scottish government briefing.

Image source, AFP

Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross has quit the UK government over the Dominic Cummings row.

The Moray MP was appointed to the role after December's general election, but said "events over the last few days mean I can no longer serve as a member of this government".

Mr Cummings - a senior advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson - has defended travelling to County Durham in March.

Mr Ross said he could not justify Mr Cummings' actions to his constituents.

He said many of them have had to miss funerals and seeing sick family members during the coronavirus lockdown, and that "I cannot in good faith tell them they were all wrong and one senior advisor to the government was right".

• Read more here
• Kuenssberg: Questions remain over Cummings
• Cummings: I don't regret what I did

It's now part of daily life for many of us - struggling to work out what someone in a supermarket or at work is saying when they're wearing a face mask.

But for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, masks can prevent them understanding anything at all.

Standard face masks, which have become widespread as countries try to stop the spread of coronavirus, muffle words and obscure the mouth.

But now charities and manufacturers alike are coming up with a solution - masks witha a transparent window.

Read more here.

1. NHS Inform, external

The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing and stay at home advice.

2. Ready Scotland, external

Staying at home does not mean you are alone - there are many ways you can help your community.

3. Citizens Advice Scotland, external

Providing advice on benefits and employment rights.

4. Business Support, external

The latest advice and support for businesses.

5. Parent Club, external

Useful information on how to cope with home schooling and keeping your family safe.

6. A helpline (0800 111 4000)has been setup for those at increased risk who don’t have a support network, such as family or existing community support.

7. Scottish government face covering advice, external

8. Clear Your Head, external: It's ok to not feel yourself right now, so click here for tips to help your mental health during the crisis.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister is expected to outline the Test and Protect strategy at this lunchtime's briefing.

Earlier this month the Scottish government set out its plans for a "test, trace, isolate, support" system to keep coronavirus in check.

Under the proposed system, external, when someone starts to feel symptoms consistent with Covid-19 they will be asked to go into self-isolation and it will be arranged for them to be tested.

If they test negative, they can be released from self-isolation. But if they test positive, they must stay there for seven days - and the contact-tracing system kicks in to identify anyone they have been close to.

This includes anyone who has been within two metres of an infected person for a period of 15 minutes or longer.

These people will be asked to go into isolation for 14 days. A support system will be put in place to help those who might struggle to do so.

It is important to stress that this "test, trace, isolate" (TTI) strategy will not be the only restriction in place post-lockdown - the government says it will only work alongside other measures such as physical distancing, hand-washing and use of face coverings.

Read more here.