Nicola Sturgeon will shortly deliver an update on Scotland's coronavirus statistics, as she leads the daily briefing.

The statistics from yesterday showed no deaths in Scotland of people who tested positive for coronavirus - this for a third day running.

The first minister will be joined by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith.

Ms Forbes has just launched the report: COVID-19: UK Fiscal Path – A New Approach, external calling for the UK government to provide an £80bn economic stimulus package.

We're expecting the daily update on Scotland's coronavirus statistics from 12.30pm today, as Nicola Sturgeon leads the daily briefing.

The first minister will be joined by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith.

The latest statistics from yesterday showed no deaths in Scotland of people who tested positive for coronavirus - this for a third day running.

Image source, PA Media

It is the eighth day overall this month that no new deaths have been reported within the previous 24 hours.

It means the number of Covid-19 deaths under this measure remains at 2,482 in Scotland.

• Read more here
• Expert says Scotland 'could be Covid-free by end of summer'

Scotland's finance secretary is also calling for the UK government to:

• introduce a jobs guarantee scheme for young people and extend sector-specific employment and business support schemes

• create a National Debt Plan to help business and household budgets recover from the effects of the pandemic

• adopt new fiscal rules which prioritise economic stimulus over deficit reduction in times of crisis

• accelerate major investment in low‑carbon initiatives, energy efficiency and digital infrastructure

• extend Scotland’s financial powers to allow it to shape its own response to the pandemic

The report, COVID-19: UK Fiscal Path – A New Approach, external, was launched by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes today.

Image source, Getty Imags

A UK-wide £80 billion stimulus package should be created to regenerate the economy and reduce inequalities.

That's according to a new report from the Scottish government entitled COVID-19: UK Fiscal Path – A New Approach, external.

The report suggests the package could finance a temporary reduction in VAT and move the tourism and hospitality industries onto a reduced VAT rate of 5%

A two pence cut in employers’ National Insurance Contributions to reduce the cost of hiring staff is also recommended.

Graham Stewart
BBC Scotland

Living in Glasgow city centre during lockdown has been like living in a ghost town - until today.

There’s a tangible sense of normality returning as shops open their doors for the first time in more than 13 weeks.

You can see it and you can hear it. Dampened by the sound of constant rain showers, there’s a quiet bustle that’s been absent these past few months.

Image source, Graham Stewart

Image source, Graham Stewart

It seems there’s no great rush to reopen. Many stores are staggering their opening times, while others are waiting until necessary preparations are completed.

Likewise, there’s been no mass stampede from shoppers - aside from the long queue of over 100 people outside the main branch of Primark in Argyle Street.

It all feels very tentative, but as of this morning Glasgow City centre feels almost, dare I say it... normal.

Image source, Graham Stewart

Pausing Scotland's screening programme had led to "a growing level of anxiety and confusion", says Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust chief executive Robert Music as he welcomes the news that the NHS has announced a phased return to the service.

Health boards are resuming bowel screening colonoscopies, higher risk participants on the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Diabetic Retinopathy Screening programmes will begin to receive appointments from 6 July, while limited breast screening is being carried out ahead of the full resumption of that programme.

From today, anyone who was invited for cervical screening before the pause and was yet to make an appointment, or had their appointment cancelled, will be able to contact their GP practice to make an appointment.

Cancer Research head of external affairs Marion O’Neil says: “It is great news that efforts are underway to re-start cervical cancer screening services as we know cancer screening saves lives."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman adds: “Pausing the adult national screening programmes was one of a series of difficult decisions we have had to make in responding to the impact of Covid-19. The safety of patients and staff will continue to be our priority as the screening programmes restart and expand."

Image source, ALAMY

Earlier today Scotland's Business Minister Jamie Hepburn reiterated that the Scottish government is willing to consider making wearing face coverings in shops mandatory.

Face coverings on public transport are already compulsory in both England and Scotland, although exemptions are in place, for example for children under five and for those with specific physical conditions.

This is in line with World Health Organization (WHO) advice.

It says non-medical face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.

The Scottish government already recommends wearing a face covering in some enclosed public spaces, such as shops, and has said it will consult on making them mandatory there as well.

Read more here.

Image source, SNS

The Murray Trophy tennis tournament, due to take place between 13 and 20 September in Glasgow, has been postponed for this year because of a congested calendar as the sport aims to resume.

The ATP Challenger event, backed by doubles star Jamie Murray and Tennis Scotland, was established in 2018 and is scheduled to return in 2021.

"It is a shame that we have had to postpone this year’s Murray Trophy but after discussing it with the LTA, Tennis Scotland and Glasgow Life I agree that this is the most sensible decision," said Murray.

"Everyone who works so hard to make the event the best it can be and, given the circumstances, that is just not going to be possible. I’m looking forward to making 2021 the best year yet for the Murray Trophy.”

Image source, PA Media

Thousands of Scots with cancer are living in fear of Covid-19, according to research by Macmillan Cancer Support.

The charity said there is widespread anxiety and panic among those suffering from cancer, with many too afraid to leave their home.

Around 38,000 people with cancer in Scotland - 15% of those with the disease - have barely left the house because they are scared about catching the virus or are generally anxious about going outside, the charity said.

Its research found around 10,000 people with cancer have not left the house at all since the start of lockdown and say they will not feel safe enough to do so until there is a vaccine or zero new cases.

An estimated 13,000 of those with cancer have experienced panic or anxiety attacks because of Covid-19, almost one in three (30%) feel stressed, anxious or depressed, and 9% of those with the disease - around 24,000 people in Scotland - have seen their mental health worsen.

A Scottish government spokesman said: "We are working with the NHS and all relevant stakeholders to consider how services can be resumed as quickly and as safely as possible."

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Four mobile military testing centres have been rushed to Leicester to help deal with a spike in Covid-19 cases and Brigadier Lizzie Faithful-Davies says they are ready to do likewise should there be a repeat in Scotland.

The brigadier, who is overseeing the operation for the Ministry of Defence, explained to BBC Radio Scotland that the number of mobile units available had been increased to 140 around the UK.

But the rural nature of much of Scotland means that "demand is particularly high" here and Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman today welcomed the news that an additional five would be operational by 15 July, bringing the total to 18.

In the most high-profile case so far, one of the military's units was deployed to Skye after an outbreak of deaths at a care home on the island.

Brigadier Faithful-Davies said: "Normally, our crews are running at 12 hours notice. So, if we let them know the night before, they can move to a new location the next day."

She added that negotiations were under way to hand the operation of the units over from the military to civilian crews.

Coronavirus in Scotland: Easing of lockdown, guidance and advice

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?

.

Here's the current guidance and regulations in place in Scotland, external

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. 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, REUTERS

Talks on changes to foreign travel are expected to take place this morning between the UK government and the devolved administrations.

It's after Whitehall said there would be changes announced about Foreign Office guidance on essential travel, with blanket restrictions on non-essential overseas travel to be relaxed in the UK from 6 July.

While the UK government is responsible for border controls, the Scottish government says that public health and the response to the pandemic are devolved matters.

Ministers in Scotland warned they had yet to decide to implement the measures and said it was "disappointing" that the announcement was made before all four UK nations held discussions.

Anyone entering Scotland from abroad must go into quarantine for two weeks or face a £480

• Read more here

• UK must agree 'air bridges', warn business groups

Good Morning Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

"One good part we've seen overnight is the good Scottish weather" in helping shops north of the border avoid the kind of crowded scenes where social distancing was abandoned when their counterparts in England and Wales reopened as lockdown was eased there.

So says Brian Lawrie, vice-chair of the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland and one of those leading the task of advising retailers what measures they had to take to reopen safely.

"In terms of Scotland, what we've seen is really good business engagement during the period of the lockdown and compliance by the public," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"Over the last few weeks, we have obviously been inundated with a number of enquiries and concerns from shops about how they keep their businesses profitable and hopefully we have managed to respond to that."

Mr Lawrie's staff have advised businesses on training of staff, adapting their premises inside and out and how to best keep the pubic informed of the new shopping rules - and he pointed out it was "a learning curve".

"We've seen great strides I think in making the shopping experience as safe as possible," he suggested. "One of the main issues, especially for non-food businesses which hasn't been apparent before for them, is that enhanced cleaning is now critical."

Mornings with Kaye Adams
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

The Scottish Retail Consortium say they would not oppose rules on making face coverings for shoppers mandatory but do have concerns over how such guidance could be enforced.

"I think we need to see how it develops," says Ewan Macdonald-Russell, the organisation's Head of Policy & External Affairs.

"But it would be very hard to ask shop workers, who are already busy doing lots of things, to take on telling somebody to put on a mask.

"We need everybody to this in a responsible and sensible way. That's about social distancing, washing hands, following the instructions set out by shops and we do encourage people to wear face coverings."

Many people will feel nervous about returning to the High Street, with Mr Macdonald-Russell telling BBC Radio Scotland that footfall is down 50% on normal levels in England.

"It's the whole economy that needs a restart and I think shops are a good, safe way to get some of that activity started," he adds.