Jack Foster from Global points out the education advice published today says there could be a need to reduce contact with the likes of social workers, psychologists and voluntary staff.

Mr Foster asks if there is a risk that could exacerbate the mental health problems of pupils.

The first minister replies the government has to take actions to suppress Covid and mitigate the harms those actions cause.

Ms Sturgeon explains new ways of doing things must be found as people must still have access to the services Mr Foster mentioned.

Dr Nicola Steedman agrees it is a very delicate balancing act and essential services may have to be delivered in a different way.

Mr Swinney adds the government is working towards having a mental health councillor in every school in Scotland.

He hopes that programme will be completed by the Autumn.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ewan Petrie, from STV, wonders whether additional safety measures might be required for older pupils, who might be more at risk of coronavirus, and whether testing of pupils and staff is a possibility.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon replies that the question of testing is still being considered.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney points out that talks are ongoing about what “mitigating measures” might be required.

“There will have to be mitigation measures to make sure it is safe to reopen our schools,” he says.

Neil Pooran, from PA, wonders what measures might be taken when reopening schools given the data on the higher death rate from Covid-19 among ethnic minorities.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney says it is important that schools return safely for everyone and that all staff and pupils from a BAME background are able to participate in the Scottish system.

“We will look at all measures we can take to adapt our education system to respond significantly and substantially to the advice that we have received,” he says.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Scotland's Lucy Whyte asks how confident can parents and teachers be that a return to full-time education is what is going to happen at the start of August.

She suggests the evidence about infection is not as clear with older children and asks if the first minister can you reassure them and their families.

Nicola Sturgeon points out that what has been published today is "some scientific advice - it is not guidance". "We have to now turn that into guidance," she says.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney says the Scottish government will follow the advice of the World Health Organization, which states that the best and safest way to reopen schools is in the context of low community transmission that has effectively been suppressed.

"That's what we have achieved in Scotland," he says but points out that there are risks from yesterday's relaxing of the lockdown.

As for older pupils, Mr Swinney says that matter will be discussed with local authorities, schools "and young people themselves".

Dr Nicola Steedman, interim deputy chief medical officer, has an update on data and surveillance.

She refers to a Public Health Scotland report published yesterday, which estimates a very low number of people have been infected by Covid-19.

The antibody testing was done on an analysis of random blood samples collected from the end of April to the end of June, covering 4,751 tests, with 4.3% having been exposed to the virus.

"The better we understand Covid 19, the better placed we are to limit it and to give the best possible advice," says Dr Steedman.

Image source, Getty Images

Pupils will not have to physically distance when Scotland's schools return in August, but teachers will, new advice to ministers has suggested.

Ministers have set a target for schools to reopen in full from 11 August.

A new report from advisors, external said "no distancing" should be required between pupils in primary or secondary schools.

But it said staff should stay 2m (6ft 6in) apart from each other, and put on face coverings when coming into closer contact with children.

It is also recommended that "higher risk" group activities like assemblies, choirs and gym and drama classes should not be reintroduced immediately.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Education Secretary John Swinney moves on to the scientific advice from the COVID-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues this morning.

He asserts that no physical distancing will be required for primary or secondary pupils in school or on school transport - as long as infection rates remain low.

He adds that he will be making a further statement to parliament next week on the "vital commitment" to reopen schools full-time from 11 August.

Education Secretary John Swinney says childcare is essential to our economic recovery as he announces the creation of an £11.2m transitional fund to help the sector prepare for a full-scale re-opening in line with schools going back in August.

There is also a new workforce support fund for childminders, which will open today for grant applications.

Mr Swinney stresses that childcare will "look and feel a bit different", with measures in place to keeping everyone safe and reduce contact.

However, he says that if the virus continues to be suppressed, he would expect the "bubbles model" restricting children to small groups will not be needed.

He also anticipates an end to the ban on blending, which would allow parents to use more than one childcare settings, with the promise of more guidance to follow at the end of July.

The first minister insists the only way to keep the levels of the virus low is to stick to the rules.

Ms Sturgeon reminds us of FACTS - the five key things we must all do.

Image source, Scottish Government

The first minister says she is increasingly thinking about the mental health of people during the pandemic.

For example 500 people have been discharged from intensive care having had Covid which is a traumatic experience.

The Scottish government has commissioned Dr Nadine Cossette, a liaison psychiatrist at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, to develop a proposal for a national care pathway for patients who have been hospitalised as a result of coronavirus.

This will be in addition to the InS:PIRE rehabilitation programme already in place for those leaving ICU.

Image source, PA Media

The first minister says we can all help those who are shielding by wearing masks in shops and public transport and social distancing by 2m.

She calls on employers to be sensitive to the concerns of any employees who are shielding.

If the government can confirm next week that shielding will be paused from 31 July she calls on employers to reach out to the workforce and think about support they can offer.

The relaxation of shielding will be good news but will prompt anxiety, she warns.

Ms Sturgeon now moves on to talk about shielding and says the prevalence of the virus is low and getting lower.

This allows updating of the advice to people who are shielding in line with the routemap set out last week.

From tomorrow people shielding can stay in any holiday accommodation, visit outdoor markets and public gardens

Non-cohabiting couples can meet without physical distancing even if one or both of you are shielding and even if neither lives alone.

"We hope to able to pause the need for shielding altogether at the end of this month."

However those in the shielding group will still be encouraged to take extra care in terms of physical distancing and hygiene.

The first minister begins talking about childcare, hugely important for parents and for the economy.

Ms Sturgeon says today's job figures highlight again the economic impact of the pandemic.

She adds childcare services were able to reopen fully yesterday.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who works in childcare for all of your efforts to enable children to return safely."

The first minister also thanks parents and carers for their efforts and for managing throughout this period.

Finally she also thanks children, in the unlikely event they are watching this briefing!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

The first minister says one death is one to many, but having just one death in last eight days is a sign of the progress made.

Ms Sturgeon says the total number of deaths is a heavy reminder of the toll the virus has taken and she expresses her condolences to all affected.

She explains the Scottish government will publish updated information about the prevalence of the virus.

The modelling suggests that the R number remains below one and the number of people with the virus in Scotland continues to fall.

The estimate for last week is that 700 people in Scotland were infectious.

Nicola Sturgeon confirms 18,384 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 11 from yesterday.

630 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case ( 19 more than yesterday), with six being treated in intensive care.

4,138 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus since 5 March.

A further one person who tested positive has died, taking the total to 2,491 deaths in Scotland by that measure. .

Nicola Sturgeon will lead today's Scottish government briefing from 12.30pm.

The first minister will be joined today by:

• Education Secretary John Swinney
• Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Steedman

Image source, PA Media

Pupils will not have to physically distance when Scotland's schools return in August, but teachers will, new advice to the government has suggested.

Ministers have set a target for schools to reopen in full from 11 August.