That concludes BBC Scotland's live online coverage of the coronavirus response for Thursday.

Today we learned:

• Five more people tested positive for Covid-19, making it the second day with positive tests in single figures
• Care homes which are free of coronavirus will be able to allow visitors from 3 July
• The Scottish government has asked for greater borrowing powers to cope with the crisis

Live online coverage will resume early on Friday.

At today's government briefing Nicola Sturgeon stressed again people must follow the five pieces of advice in FACTS: They are:

• Face coverings in enclosed spaces
• Avoid crowded places
• Clean hands and surfaces regularly
• Two metre distancing; and
• Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

If we all comply with these we are playing our part in staying safe, protecting others and saving lives, said the first minister.

She reiterated the Scottish government advice that you can find at NHS Inform, external.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

"Some sort of minimum artists' wage would have been great because people are living hand to mouth at the moment," actor Elaine C Smith told BBC Radio Scotland.

Theatres remain closed and some may face ruin if social distancing measures are maintained.

"In my heart I don't know how we'll do it," says Ms Smith of plans to stage pantomimes over the winter. "The audience are the other actor. They are so important.

"It's frustrating because we're not even in the discussion. We would get 20 times more people at a panto in the King's than go and see Albion Rovers but there is way more talk about what's happening in football than there is in theatres.

"There's a view that actors are all making lots of money if they are on the telly. But this is crew, carpenters, lighting people, costumer designers and so on. We are all self-employed.

"So we're all sitting at home watching Netflix or whatever, that's where the actors come from - theatre."

Image source, SNS

The court action taken against the SPFL and three clubs by Hearts and Partick Thistle will be heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh next Tuesday.

The 30 June hearing will take place via video conference from 10:00 BST and will be presided over by Lord Clark.

This initial staging will be to determined where the case goes and what the process will be.

Hearts and Thistle are challenging their respective relegations from the Premiership and Championship after last season was brought to a premature halt due to the coronavirus crisis.

Read more

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, PA Media

Leaders from Scotland's food and drink industry have told MPs the sector has the resilience to recover from the impact of coronavirus.

In evidence to the Scottish Affairs committee, Karen Betts, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said in April exports of whisky fell by 40%.

James Withers, the chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, told the committee he believed that because of Covid-19 food and drink exports would fall by around a half - about £800m - this year.

But all the witnesses said they believed the food and drink sector in Scotland was resilient and would recover.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Care homes in Scotland that are free of coronavirus will be able to accept visitors from 3 July.

Alison Walker has not been able to see either of her parents since the start of lockdown in March because both live in a care home. She explains she was left disappointed by today’s announcement.

Image source, Getty Images

Her mum has dementia and will not be able to understand why Alison will have to stay two metres away, which will cause distress to both of them.

She says: “You cannot underestimate the importance, the value of interaction with family and visitors. The recognition that only face to face, not mask to mask, touch is crucial to those suffering dementia and they haven’t had that.

“My mum has declined mentally more in the last three months than she has in the last three years.”

Alison and her family used to visit her mum and take her out several times a week which she has not had. She still plans to visit as soon as she can because it is “better than nothing”.

The latest daily figures for the UK show that another 149 people have died with coronavirus, while there were 1,118 more positive tests. Here's how those numbers fit into the overall trend.

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland's route map - indicative dates for the remainder of Phase 2 and early Phase 3, external

• Easing lockdown rules in Scotland: BBC Scotland article: What will change next - and when?

2. Test and Protect, external

If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test

3. NHS Inform, external

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

4. Adult Care Homes Visiting Guidance, external

The next phase of visiting will include outdoor meetings with a single nominated visitor and that face coverings must be worn for the visit’s duration.

5. Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding support and contacts, external

6. Support for those at high COVID-19 risk:, external

The helpline is 0800 111 4000

7. Clear Your Head, external: It's ok to not feel yourself right now, here's some great tips to help get you through it.people through the pandemic.

Image source, bbc

The Education Recovery Group, tasked with progressing plans for reopening schools, say they will be in a position to make a decision on pupils returning to classrooms full-time "as soon as possible, and no later than 30 July".

Following today's group meeting, Education Secretary John Swinney said: "I would like to record again my appreciation for the flexibility, professionalism and commitment of staff across the system in supporting the care and education of Scotland’s children and young people during the period of school closure, and into next year.”

COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Stephen McCabe added: "It has been an extremely challenging period for everyone involved in Scottish education, not least children and young people and their parents. We are very aware of the many challenges we must overcome to ensure a safe return to school for all children and young people and our staff. This will be our focus in the coming weeks."

Scotland’s biggest teaching union has accused the government of making a “political” decision on the reopening of schools in August, without seeking the agreement of the education recovery group.

In correspondence to members, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan expressed concern about the safety of removing physical distancing requirements in schools.

Education Secretary John Swinney announced earlier this week that schools should aim to reopen full-time with no physical distancing.

Mr Flanagan said the union was “not convinced” that physical distancing would not be required between pupils and was “absolutely certain” that keeping a distance between pupils and teachers was “essential”.

The union has also called for voluntary testing of teachers to be rolled out and sought guidance for other mitigation measures, such as face masks or screens.

It has urged the government to provide a “clear articulation” on what sufficient virus suppression would look like, in terms of the transmission rate, new infection rates and deaths, before schools can safely reopen from 11 August.

At today's Scottish government briefing the first minister insisted, in terms of schools returning, "safety is at the heart of every decision" and denied any policy U-turn.

• ‘Cautious, phased return’ of care home visits in Scotland to be phased in again from 3 July – guidance has been published
• Visits can only take place where there has been no Covid-19 cases for 28 days
• Teaching union EIS concerns about return to full-time schooling dominate journalists' questions
• FM on school return: 'Safety is at the heart of every decision' and she insists there is no policy U-turn

Image source, bbc

• A further two people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 2,482 deaths in Scotland by the PHS daily measure
• Modelling suggests R-number remains between 0.6 and 0.8

• FM calls on public to shop responsibly and asks people to wear face coverings

Image source, Getty Images

People are being encouraged to celebrate the NHS's 72nd birthday and thank key workers for their support during the coronavirus pandemic with a nationwide clap next month.

NHS Scotland boss John Connaghan and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby are among the influential figures supporting the initiative.

The initiative would make Sunday 5 July an official day to pay tribute, with the applause to take place at 5pm.

Broadcasters across the UK are also expected to pause.

Mr Connaghan said: "Our entire health service has responded in ways it has never had to before to deal with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic... It gives us another opportunity to once again say to those working in, and with, our NHS: thank you."

In addition, public buildings around the UK - including Balmoral in Edinburgh - will light up blue to remember those who have died during the pandemic.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Some pubs are open for takeaway - but how are they preventing customers from consuming these in public parks?

Paul Gillies, owner of the Stag and Thistle in Glasgow, says his staff have been asked to remind those they serve that they should not take their drinks to the park next door.

He also says he will be heading out along with his staff later this evening to help pick up litter left behind in Queen's Park.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

More on the lockdown phenomenon of widespread littering, with Ian Rankin.

"I can't understand why people can't fill plastic bags with their rubbish and sit them next to the bins at least," says the Edinburgh-based author.

"When you add in alcohol, people think less."

Unlike other cities in Scotland, drinking in public spaces is not prohibited in the capital, but the by-law was last reviewed 16 years ago, says councillor Adam McVey.

"There is no policy or service area that is responsible for the mess," Mr McVey says. "This is about people not taking responsibility for their own actions. We need to get the message over that people can't do this."

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government announces a phased reintroduction of family visiting in care homes, as well as the resumption of communal activities for residents.

Care home residents will be able to receive visitors outside from 3 July, provided their home meets strict criteria, with infection control measures remaining in place.

Adult Care Homes Visiting Guidance, external published today confirms that the next phase of visiting will include outdoor meetings with a single nominated visitor and that face coverings must be worn for the visit’s duration.

Currently, only essential visits, including those involving end of life care are permitted.

The guidance builds up to a fourth and final phase of reintroduction, which will include controlled indoor visits and wider use of communal areas by residents, with appropriate measures still being observed.

A care home will only be able to permit visiting or relax arrangements for communal activities if they have been COVID-free throughout the pandemic or if all affected residents have fully recovered and no residents have had symptoms for 28 days.

Nicola Sturgeon used today's Scottish government briefing to remind us what restrictions will be eased from Monday:

• While non-essential offices and call centres must remain closed, factories, laboratories and warehouses will be able to reopen - subject to strict physical distancing, hygiene and health and safety guidance
• Businesses are being advised to arrange staggered work times for their staff, agree flexible working where possible, and ensure that it is safe for their employees to get to work

• Outdoor markets will also be able to open, as will outdoor sports courts and playgrounds.

Image source, bbc

• Zoos and garden attractions will also be able to open again, although you should not travel more than five miles for leisure - and tickets should be bought in advance.
• Restrictions on moving house will be lifted
• Marriages and civil partnerships will be allowed outdoors, with limited numbers, and registration offices will reopen for essential business.
• Stores of all sizes will be able to reopen - but only if they have outdoor entrances and exits. Indoor shopping centres must remain closed for now, except where they contain essential shops

Easing lockdown rules in Scotland: Click here to find out what will change next - and when.

Drivetime with John Beattie
BBC Radio Scotland

Crime writer Ian Rankin has been busy on Twitter documenting the mess left in the Meadows near his Edinburgh home.

Parks up and down the country are overflowing with litter as people gather outside in large numbers.

"Is it a generation that's just got used to people cleaning up after them or they've been in lockdown for so long that they can only focus on themselves, with no thought for tomorrow," Mr Rankin said on BBC Radio Scotland.

"It's a weird one since we are all more ecologically aware but at the same time people get a drink in them, see their mates are leaving rubbish, and they leave it too."

Drivetime will hear from the leader of Edinburgh Council Adam McVey now.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government says it "doesn't know" why some doctors have pushed older people into do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, according to the equalities minister.

Speaking before the Equalities and Human Rights Committee at Holyrood, Christina McKelvie attributed the practice to "panic" that the NHS would be overwhelmed in the early days of the pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic, reports have surfaced of older people being pushed into DNR orders, which state that CPR should not be performed on the person should their heart stop.

In one case, the family of a woman in Tayside found an already signed order in her bag when she returned from hospital, prompting an "immediate review" from the health board.

Ms McKelvie told the committee: "I think the honest answer is we don't know. "Our guidance didn't change, our guidance to GPs and other health professionals didn't change.

"I think there was a bit of a panic at the beginning thinking that the health service would be overwhelmed. "It came along with the virus as part of a lot of the concerns that came up."