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The first minister rejects suggestion that Scotland is "lagging behind" England which has been moving faster at lifting lockdown restrictions.

She says there are many different measures to take into account - and by some indicators, it's the other way around.

Nicola Sturgeon says she thinks Scotland is "not far away" from eliminating coronavirus in the community, in response to a question from The Scotsman, but warns that "elimination is not eradication".

Eradication is when the virus has gone as a threat and that probably only comes with a vaccine that is effective, she says.

The government's aim is getting the virus to the "lowest possible levels you can", but that "doesn’t mean it has gone away".

"It gives us more confidence we can keep it under control with surveillance, testing and contact tracing where we see outbreaks, with very targeted measures as opposed to blanket lockdown," the first minister says.

Private blood tests for antibodies are "not presently helpful", according to Scotland's national clinical director.

Prof Jason Leitch was responding to a reporter's question about whether the results of such tests sold at pharmacies would be made available to the NHS Scotland or if the tests should be discouraged.

He points out that there is a difference between such antibody tests and the antigen tests carried out by the NHS to find out if the virus is present.

Prof Leitch says of the latter that "we have a very clear understanding about what it means, when it works, when it doesn't".

As for the antibody blood tests (serology), he says the drug companies have done well to now have reliable antibody tests but stresses that "we don't know what it means".

"My advice is to only use it for research and surveillance, so I would avoid private serology testing if I were you," he says.

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

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The operator of the Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre is looking at massive job cuts as a “painful last resort” to stay afloat during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Horsecross Arts says around 70 part-time and 50 full-time employees at all levels of the organisations could be affected as government aid winds down and the venues remain closed in the weeks ahead.

Chief executive Nick Williams tells BBC Radio Scotland that 70% of their income - which was “turned off” when they closed their doors in March - comes from box office takings, conferences, cafes and bars.

Mr Williams says the organisation is being forced to look at redundancy consultations “to enable us to come out the other end and rebuild”.

He says the situation is not helped by a lack of any firm guidance from either the Scottish or UK governments about what venues will be able to do and when.

“For us, with an 1100-seat concert hall, which goes up to 1600 for standing events, any form of physical distancing makes the management of events we hold really unviable," he adds.

"Similarly, our theatre, with just under 500 seats, is a really difficult space to make viable with any form of distancing."

"There will definitely be a future for the arts sector of Scotland," insists Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, when questioned by Bauer Media about the job cuts facing more than 100 staff at Perth Concert Hall and Theatre, one of many venues facing an uncertain future.

Ms Hyslop cites the financial support already given to some theatres, in Inverness and Aberdeen, from the 'pivotal resilience fund', while others have received help through the job retention scheme, she says.

The culture secretary says she met the Federation of Scottish Theatres this morning and has discussions with Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to see what "further room for manoeuvre" there might be in terms of longer-term support for the sector.

Nicola Sturgeon adds that arts and culture are not just "really important to Scotland's economy and international reputation" but the sector is "fundamental to the health and wellbeing of our country".

She acknowledges though there will "tough discussions" ahead to minimise the long-term impact on the sector.

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The Press Association asks what level of face covering use in shops the first minister is expecting from Monday and wonders how low it would have to be before considering making it mandatory.

Nicola Sturgeon replies that: "We are providing shops and the retail sector with advertising materials so they can promote the use of face coverings.

"It does make a difference, so it is very strong advice to help that collective effort.

"I wore one this morning, it is not the most comfortable thing and takes a bit of getting used to, but I would rather do that than take the risk of passing the virus on to someone else or getting it from someone else.

"We will be working with the retail sector in the coming days to try to maximise the voluntary use, but we will take a decision next week in the context of the advice that's coming from the scientific advisory group."

That will report about the possibility of relaxing the 2m social distancing rule and the government will take that into consideration when deciding whether or not to make face coverings mandatory.

"Absolutely, I do not rule that out," Ms Sturgeon adds. "But don't wait for it to become mandatory - do it now."

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Steven Brown from STV asked about businesses such as beauticians, driving instructors and gyms which do not yet have dates for re-opening.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a route map had been laid out for many sectors but the reopening of certain personal services is dependent on health advice.

She acknowledged the challenges people have faced but stressed the UK's self-employed scheme has been extended to October while small businesses can apply for grants.

Ms Hyslop added: "I am absolutely convinced that in terms of opening up the economy these are the sectors where there will be a latent demand. When they do reopen they should open up to a very strong market."

In response to an additional question about a second wave of infections, Prof Jason Leitch emphasised the virus is "unchanged", as is the risk of passing it on to others

Fraser Knight, from Global, points out that Scottish Care has welcomed the reinstating of visits to care homes announced yesterday but states that the quality of life for some residents has been impacted by the complete lockdown they faced and wonders what kind of support will be provided to deal with mental health issues.

He asks, if there is a second wave of the virus, will the Scottish government be looking at a different way of dealing with this or will a complete lockdown be imposed again?

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon replies: "We will take whatever steps we feel necessary to protect people in care homes the best we can.

"It is not long ago that these briefings were dominated, quite understandably and legitimately, by questions to me and the health secretary about why we did not do more to protect people in care homes - we took the steps we thought were necessary.

"The impact on frail, older people has been awful and continues to be very difficult."

National Clinical Director Jason Leitch says he is aware that care home visits are a great benefit to the health of residents but admits to being "nervous" about loosening restrictions and says that is why it is being done gradually.

BBC Scotland's Catriona Renton asked the first minister about the large crowds which descended on Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park and on the Meadows in Edinburgh.

Nicola Sturgeon said the vast majority of people are respecting the lockdown guidelines and praised Police Scotland for its sensitive handling of Thursday's incidents.

And while sympathising with young people who wanted to enjoy the hottest day of the year she urged everyone to understand the risks posed by large crowds.

Ms Sturgeon also emphasised that the virus has not gone away and has simply been suppressed.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop says Scotland's economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis "has to be education-led" through the university and college sector, "with their connections to business and communities".

Colleges will be able to swiftly up-skill people to take on the economic and employment challenges we now face, she says.

"We need to quickly adapt our labour market for an economy that requires a workforce with a digital, low-carbon, renewable, financial and health and care focus," Ms Hyslop says.

This will also help young people in particular avoid time spent in unemployment, she adds.

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National Clinical Director Jason Leitch pays tribute to those who have kept the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service running during the pandemic and makes an appeal for further "life saving" donations.

"The organisation and the workers within it - managers, nurses, doctors, many others - have worked extremely hard during the pandemic to ensure that NHS Scotland has enough blood to meet the transfusion needs of patients," he says.

Prof Leitch also thanks the donors "who have provided an amazing response since restrictions began".

He says it is particularly important that the public keeps donating because "we cannot store blood for a long time".

Prof Leitch points out that new criteria over donations have been added during the pandemic, stressing that the over-70s, those who have Covid-19 and those in self-isolation should not be donating. Meanwhile, anyone who has had symptoms should wait at least 28 days after their illness.

Fiona Hyslop, the economy secretary welcomes the report published earlier this week by former Tesco Bank boss Benny Higgins and an advisory group on economic recovery.

She says the report highlights that Scotland faces "enormous challenges", but achieves its aim of setting out a "comprehensive set of recommendations".

Those recommendations included a nation-wide scheme to offer at least two years of "secure employment" to young people, to avoid "long-term scarring" of a generation.

"The report identifies the importance of employment, education and equality," Ms Hyslop says. "I agree that each one of these will be vital as we seek to create a society that is resilient, fair, and one in which everyone has the opportunity to be successful," she adds.

The Scottish government will now develop a detailed response to the report, which will be published by the end of July.

The first minister refers to increasing reports of litter being left around the country by urging those visiting public spaces to think of the refuse collectors who have to clear up after them.

"Please take your litter with you," she says. "Refuse collectors around the country are doing an incredible job and they simply should not be having to clean up after outdoor gatherings.

"So please, now more than ever, realise that individual actions affect society as a whole and we need to be considerate of one another. That is particularly true right now.

"What we do can harm other people."

Nicola Sturgeon has a warning to the public not to drop their guard against the virus.

"We have made exceptional progress and we've only done that because the vast majority of us have stuck to the rules," she says.

"The virus has not gone away and it will not go of its won accord - and there are plenty parts of the world where it is still on the rise and there are some parts of the world where it is unfortunately on the rise again as societies and economies open up.

"The warnings signs are all around us and we must not ignore them."

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The first minister says it is easy for the public to become complacent and says "we saw that last night in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow" where police dispersed a large gathering.

"I understand people's desire to enjoy the sunshine on the very few days we have any, please avoid crowded places - they are a big risk," she says.

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Nicola Sturgeon says all members of the public have a role to play in making sure that the reopening of shops can be carried out safely.

The first minister says the Scottish government is today publishing new guidance for customers. It states:

• Some people should not be going to shops at all - those with Covid-19 symptoms and those in the shielding group
• Shop locally and use the five-mile travel limit as a guide and not travel further than necessary
• Shop on your own or in a small group as possible and avoid going at peak times
• When you do go to a shop, wear a face covering unless you have a medical condition
• Only visit shops that have infection control measures in place and use hand sanitisation
• When shopping, remain patient and polite, and treat customers and staff with respect

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon turns to what she calls "a significant change" that comes into effect from Monday - all retail premises that have outdoor entrances and exits being able to reopen.

She says that this morning she visited a New Look store in Edinburgh and says she "saw for myself the kinds of measures that shops are putting in place".

Ms Sturgeon points out that there are new limits on numbers allowed in stores, new processes for cleaning items and quarantining items and new physical distancing signs, while public spaces outside have distance markers and outdoor furniture removed to allow safe outdoor queuing

"All of that has required an enormous amount of work," she says, praising those who have carried out the work.

Nicola Sturgeon confirms 18,213 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

The first minister says the percentage of people who test positive is now well below 1% - yesterday it was 0.3% - which is "one of many signs of progress we are making".

823 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (down three), with 17 being treated in intensive care (down one).

There have been no further deaths of people who have tested positive, the first time the figure has been zero on a weekday since 20 March, before lockdown measures were introduced.

"That is really significant, and is down to the sacrifices of each and every one of you, so thank-you," Ms Sturgeon says.

The total number of deaths, of people who have tested positive for covoid-19, remains at 2,482.

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Nicola Sturgeon will update us shortly on the latest developments surrounding coronavirus in Scotland.

The first minister will be joined at the briefing by Economy, Fair Work and Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and National Clinical Director Jason Leitch.

You can watch it right here by clicking on the play icon above, or you can watch it on the BBC Scotland channel.