Mr Carlaw insists it's unacceptable the first minister is trying to downplay the significance of the figures and adds the statistic was used as the SNP's centrepiece of its policy.

He calls on the first minister to accept she made a comparison that was not true.

The first minister accepts the view of the statistics regulator that the figures were not published, but hits back saying the Scottish Conservative leader's approach is "bizarre".

It ignores the progress Scotland has made, she says.

The Scottish Conservative leader then accuses the first minister of profiteering from Covid virus by "producing party-political face masks to raise funds from the SNP" and encouraging people to "shout obscenities to people coming from England".

Ms Sturgeon says she feels "quite sorry" for Jackson Carlaw and accuses him of "bitter partisan politics" for not welcoming Scotland's progress against a deadly virus.

In terms of face masks, every penny of profit will go to charity, she points out.

Image source, Getty Images

Jackson Carlaw then moves to the UK Statistics Authority reprimand of the Scottish government for claiming the prevalence of coronavirus is five times lower in Scotland than it is in England.

That verdict is damning, says Mr Carlaw, and asks why the Scottish government "misled the public" about the source of the claim.

Ms Sturgeon stands by the view that the prevalence of the virus is significantly lower in Scotland than in England.

The first minister says the issue with the statistics she cited arises from the fact that they have not been published by the UK government.

"There is a significantly lower prevalence and incidence of the virus in Scotland right now."

Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw says there are reports that only half of Scotland#s councils are preparing for a full return of schools in 12 days' time and he says there is still some confusion.

The first minister explains the need for some phasing, but says an "education continuity order" stating by that 18 August, all schools will be back full time.

Ms Sturgeon says she hopes further changes will be possible from Monday 14 September, and full details are available on the Scottish government website.

The first minister says she hopes that from that day:

• Sports stadia will be able to reopen for limited numbers of spectators, with physical distancing in place.
• Some professional sports events may be arranged for spectators before then – with Scottish government agreement
• Indoor sports courts for some activities can re-open, with physical distancing in place. Indoor classes for children will be considered from an earlier date.
• Indoor soft play facilities will also reopen.
• Gyms and swimming pools can reopen
• Entertainment sites and cultural venues such as theatres and live music venues can reopen, with physical distancing in place.

The first minister adds that although she understands the desire to see gyms and swimming pools reopen earlier, the latest clinical advice is that those environments “pose a particular risk and require a cautious approach”.

The decision will be reviewed again in three weeks, with the possibility the move may be accelerated to the end of August.

She acknowledges the cultural sector will also be disappointed, and that the government is increasing the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund from £10m to £12.5m to provide further support.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister goes on to outline some more indicative dates for late August and September to help businesses plan for reopening.

She stresses these are only indicative and remain subject to change.

• From 24 August, live events such as concerts and comedy will be allowed outdoors – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted numbers.
• Organised outdoor contact sports will resume for people of all ages.
• Also from 24 August, some other indoor facilities, such as bingo halls and similar venues mentioned in the route map can re-open with physical distancing.
• Funfairs and travelling funfairs can reopen from 24 August.
• Driving lessons will resume from that day too.

Ms Sturgeon says she doesn’t currently expect to implement any other changes before 11 September, but will keep that under review.

As of now, non-essential offices and call centres should expect to remain closed until at least 14 September, and possibly later.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon outlines a "small number of further changes" that are planned over the next three weeks:

• From Monday, routine eye care services, including regular eye examinations, can now be carried out in community optometry premises, and if necessary in people’s homes

• Counselling services such as drug and alcohol support groups will be able to provide essential services, following relevant guidance and with physical distancing.

• Sports coaches will be able to meet with groups of more than four households at a time. We will also confirm when they can work with larger groups.

• From 17 August, a wide range of dental care can resume – in particular, aerosol procedures, which create a fine mist through use of a high-speed drill – if they are necessary for urgent dental care

"These are the only changes that we currently expect to make during the next three-week period," says the first minister.

The first minister says: "In fact in many ways Scotland is in a better position now, in relation to Covid, than I would have dared hope a few weeks ago. "

However, this position is very fragile, she points out, and says the situation around the world and across Europe, and even in England, does give some cause for concern.

"The fact is if we are not very careful now, then in two or three weeks’ time we could easily be facing here in Scotland some of the issues we are currently hearing about in the news from around the world."

Image source, Getty Images

The government is also publishing updated guidance for childcare providers that will come into effect from 10 August.

The new guidance doesn’t represent a return to complete normality for childcare providers but it reduces the current restrictions, explains the first minister.

It sets out age appropriate measures to minimise risks for staff, children and families, and communities.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister confirms that in addition to £45m previously announced, the government will make a further £30m available to support the recruitment of additional teachers.

She hopes this total investment of £75m will enable the recruitment of about 1,400 extra teachers.

A further £30m on top of £20m already announced as part of a £50m education recovery fund for local authorities is also announced.

This will support extra cleaning, facilities management, school transport and other practical measures that are vital in ensuring a safe return to school.

She tells MSPs she cannot rule out the possible need for blended learning arrangements in future either nationally or locally if there is a significant increase in COVID.

The first minister also details further public health measures to make schools safer:

• these include Test and Protect
• fast access to testing for any symptomatic staff and pupils
• an enhanced surveillance programme in schools

The Education Recovery Group has agreed guidance to support the safe return of schools and it will be published today

It will say:

• in general, physical distancing be tween pupils will not be required while on the school estate
• however distance should be maintained between pupils in secondary schools where possible
• distancing should also be maintained between staff members, and between staff and pupils
• it sets out the risk mitigation measures that must be introduced in all educational settings.
• these include ventilation, good hygiene practices, and improved cleaning regimes

The first minister adds: "It is vital for the safe re-opening of schools that these measure are applied rigorously in all settings."

"I am very pleased to confirm today that schools will return from the 11th of August," announces the first minister.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon confirms that from this Saturday, 1 August, the advice for people in the shielding group will be paused.

They can now follow the guidance for the general population, she says, but should still be especially careful about face coverings, hand hygiene and physical distancing.

Children shielding will be able to return to school and adults will be able to return to work, although the general advice remain that people should work from home wherever possible.

More guidance on returning to work is available on the Scottish government website, external, where people can calculate an individual 'risk score' to help them and their employers.

The first minister says she knows the pause will be an "enormous relief to many" but suspects it will also make them feel anxious.

"Be assured we are pausing it now because we do believe it is safe to do so," she says. "If circumstances change, our advice will change too."

The first minister turns now to the review of lockdown restrictions.

Ministers are compelled to review restrictions every three weeks.

Ms Sturgeon says incidence and prevalence of the virus are at very low levels in Scotland.

However, she says although progress in fighting the virus is substantial, the virus has not gone away.

"I am not able to indicate, today, a move from phase 3 of our route map out of lockdown to phase 4. "

She warns that a move to phase 4 may not happen even by the next three-weekly review.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister moves on to highlight that people who test positive for coronavirus or show symptoms in the UK must now self-isolate for at least 10 days, rather than seven.

Ms Sturgeon says contacts of those who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 14 days as should quarantine for those returning from certain countries.

In reference to the new cluster of cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, the first minister reveals eight positive cases have been confirmed linked to the M&D Pharmacy in Port Glasgow and also at an Amazon warehouse in Gourock.

An incident management team met yesterday and will meet again today to trace contacts and minimise onward transmission.