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The latest advice suggests there is an "overwhelming justification" for the reopening of schools, with appropriate mitigation measures in place, says John Swinney.

There is no requirement for physical distancing in primary schools, and although the education recovery group made the same recommendation for secondary schools, the position was less clear, said the education secretary.

Secondary schools will therefore be asked to take a practical approach to maintaining distancing between pupils where possible

This could be accomplished by managing the flow of pupils and staff and adjusting classroom layouts, without reducing capacities in the school.

This approach means pupils should be able to return to both primary and secondary schools full-time with appropriate mitigations in place, Mr Swinney says.

Staff should observe 2m physical distancing from pupils wherever possible, he adds, but distancing will not be necessary on school transport.

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John Swinney says he has taken many opportunities to seek views from parents, teachers and young people on how the Covid situation has impacted their lives.

"What we know for certain is that children and young people across all age groups will have experienced some negative effects from being unable to attend school and from living in a world restricted by physical distancing," he says.

"We know academic learning, peer relationships, safety, wellbeing and mental health are all at risk."

It is both a "moral and educational imperative" to lift these restrictions on children as soon as it is safe to do so, he adds.

John Swinney begins his statement by reminding the Scottish parliament of the data that allows the government to press ahead with plans to reopen schools on a full-time basis from 11 August.

The infection rate in the general population is reducing by 30% each week, says the education secretary, and there are now only have around 700 infectious people in Scotland, compared to 1300 four weeks ago and 5,000 at the end of May.

There have been no deaths among those under 16, and by 12 July, only 42 of the 5,939 people hospitalised because of Covid-19 were aged under 15, less than 0.01% of the population in that age group, Mr Swinney reports.

This "demonstrates an important message about the level of risk for school-age children," he says.

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The education secretary will now give a virtual statement to MSPs on progress towards the aim of opening up full-time with no social distancing between pupils from the 11th of August.

John Swinney could give more information on guidance on how schools can operate safely during his statement.

The guidance won't officially be published until next week and will be based on scientific advice which says the risk for younger children is low, but that it's less clear for over-16s.

It also advised the wearing of face masks for teachers where they can't socially distance and extra hygiene measures and cleaning in school buildings.

It's likely that extra funding will be made available to councils to cover the costs of re-opening in this way.

It will be next Thursday before we get a final decision on whether the government thinks it's safe enough to sign off on this plan.

• 'No physical distancing' needed for school pupils

BBC Radio Scotland

A study suggests many people are planning to cut the amount they are drinking now that pubs and bars are open.

Over a quarter of people questioned said they drank more than usual during lockdown to help them deal with stress and anxiety.

Almost two-fifths said they expect to drink less now, the research commissioned by Alcohol Focus Scotland found.

Chief executive Alison Douglas told BBC Radio Scotland the rise in drinking isn’t a great surprise, because "many of the other ways we manage stress may have been more difficult to access during lockdown".

• Nicola Sturgeon confirms shielding will be paused from 1 August with some measures easing from tomorrow
• Children who have been shielding will be able to return to school in August
• A Covid forecasting service is being developed to let those shielding know of the risk in their community
• Just one death in Scotland has been reported over the past 15 days with no new death recorded in past 24 hours
• The number of Covid cases linked to the Sitel call centre outbreak rises to 24
• Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop announces more than £2.1m for tourism, business, community and agricultural projects across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders
• On Boris Johnson's comments, the first minister will remain 'very assertive' in the right of the Scottish government to take its own decisions
• She warns 'none of us should be crowing about this pandemic in a political sense'

The first minister ends by stressing the need for all of us to follow the FACTS.

Image source, Scottish government

"Do I think there are things the UK government could learn from Scotland? Yes I do," says Nicola Sturgeon, in response to a question from PA about the different responses to tackling the virus.

If Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to stop in Edinburgh "on his way back down the road" from visiting Orkney today for a discussion about these things, the first minister will make time to meet him, she says. "The offer is always open".

Ms Sturgeon adds that "none of us have all the answers" and she has looked at the approach of other countries such as New Zealand to inform her decisions about tackling the crisis.

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The first minister is asked how an independent Scotland, in its early years and without its own currency, could cope with the financial implications of a situation like the coronavirus pandemic.

The Sun's Chris Musson questions whether it could make borrowing more difficult or more expensive.

Nicola Sturgeon suggests looking at how similar-sized independent countries such as Ireland, Denmark or New Zealand deal with borrowing.

But, for now, she says she is going to focus on dealing with the coronavirus crisis and think about independence later.

Tom Sheldrick from ITV Border asks about a report from the Scottish Affairs committee that says communication and co-operation between the Scottish and UK governments was very strong in the early stages of the pandemic but has worsened significantly more recently.

Nicola Sturgeon says there are discussions when it is appropriate with other governments of the UK and she tries to be "as constructive a participant in those" as possible.

The first minister says she has regular discussions with counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland, but she does not think some of the frameworks for decision-making, like the Cobra forum, are ideal.

Ms Sturgeon says her primary responsibility is to "take the right decisions for Scotland in a very straightforward way and not be influenced by politics or constitutional arguments".

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Ciaran Jenkins from Channel 4 takes us back to Boris Johnson's comments about the "sheer might of the union" in the UK government's response to the pandemic.

The first minister points out she does not agree with that comment as it is "just a feature of where power lies".

"If Scotland was an independent country then just like Ireland or many of the other small countries, we'd be doing these things ourselves.

"So in that sense it's a bit of a redundant argument.

"I just don't think any of us should be championing and celebrating a pandemic that has taken thousands of lives as some, you know, example of the pre-existing political case we want to make."

The first minister insists: "None of us should be crowing about this pandemic in a political sense."

Gordon Chree from STV reminds the first minister that the prime minister has said his government's response to the pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union.

The first minister reminds us this is a Covid briefing and she wants to make sure it is not pulled into the political arena.

Ms Sturgeon tells the briefing her focus is on dealing with the pandemic and adds she has tried very hard to have a very collaborative approach with the other governments in the UK.

She adds she will also be "very assertive" in the right of the Scottish government to take its own decisions for public health reasons.

On the financial support from the UK government, that has been very welcome Ms Sturgeon explains.

"But let us be clear this is borrowed money," she says and points out the UK has the borrowing powers Scotland does not.

"It's not some kind of favour that is being done for Scotland."

The first minister points out that if Scotland had those borrowing powers it would have more flexibility.

She doesn't think anyone should be using Covid as "some kind of campaigning tool".

Scotland's Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop announces more than £2.1m for tourism, business, community and agricultural projects across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders to support economic development across the region.

“We are committed to developing the south of Scotland's economy to its full potential," she says, revealing 28 projects in total will benefit from Scottish government funding.

These include a programme to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, a progamme to help young people with autistic spectrum disorder build skills and find job opportunities, and a project to develop livestock holding facilities and encourage farmers to collaborate on transport costs.

Boris Johnson has been speaking to the BBC about the £100m growth deal from the UK and Scottish governments announced for the Northern and Western Isles.

The prime minister said it was "a real opportunity for people here to get some funding to increase what they are already doing, amazing new green technology".

Mr Johnson added: "What you have seen throughout this crisis is the union working together, with money for supporting people through furlough, the Army working on the testing, moving people around.

"But now what you want to do is build back better together with a green recovery, and here in Orkney they are streets ahead on hydrogen technology, on green technology.

"Around Orkney they could supply 25% of the UK's energy needs if they had the infrastructure to go with it, so we're looking at ways to support the council here, to support local leaders in their ambitions."

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A Covid forecasting service is being developed for people who have been shielding, announces the first minister.

That will allow people to sign up for an SMS update that tells them about the risk of exposure to Covid in each area.

Although the food box scheme is ending, you can continue to get priority delivery slots from supermarkets and get help from your council, says the first minister.

The shielding SMS text service and national helpline will be continued.

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The first minister accepts these changes will create a great deal of anxiety for some who are shielding, which is "completely understandable", she says.

She says people should not feel under pressure to do anything.

Ms Sturgeon adds a range of advice for returning to work and schools will be provided, with the schools advice being published on 30 July.

A risk assessment tool for employers and employees will be available from Monday.

There will also be information on which activities are safer to undertake.

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The first minister announces clinical advisers say that as things stand, the shielding advice can be paused altogether from 1 August.

From that day the advice for people shielding will then be the same as for those at heightened risk, like older people or those getting the flu jab.

"From the end of next week you will be asked to follow the advice for the general population, although you will be advised to be especially careful about hand hygiene and physical distancing.

"Children who have been shielding will be able to return to school in August."

The first minister explains that those shielding can return to work if the employer ensures that can be done safely.

However the advice remains very strongly that you should continue to work from home where possible she adds.

From tomorrow if you are shielding you may:

• meet with up to eight people indoors from up to two other households with physical distancing
• meet outdoors with groups of up to 15 people from a maximum of four other households
• use public transport with a face covering
• go to outdoor spaces in pubs and restaurants
• go to indoor shops, pharmacies and indoor markets
• attend hairdressers, barbers, museums, galleries and cinemas
• children who live with someone who is shielding can attend formal childcare providers.