Here are the headlines that emerged from today' Scottish government coronavirus briefing:

• Seven more deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 have been recorded in Scotland

• That's the highest daily total of deaths since 17 June
• A further 640 new positive test results were also reported, with 137 people being treated in hospital
• The total number of people to have died in Scotland within 28 days of testing positive now stands at 2,519
• The National Records of Scotland says the virus has been mentioned as a contributing factor or suspected cause of death on 4,257 death certificates
• The first minister says the Scottish government will introduce a Self-Isolation Support Grant of £500
• The £500 financial support is expected to begin from 12 October for people on low incomes being told to self isolate
• To be eligible you must have been told to self isolate through the Test and Protect programme
• Scotland's chief nursing officer says a number of NHS services, including free NHS eye tests, have begun to reopen

That's all from us here on the live page today. Join us again for extensive coverage of first minister's questions tomorrow at 12.20pm. Until then please take care and stay safe.

MSPs are now speaking in a Scottish Labour Party debate on recognising the importance of family caregivers.

You can watch the proceedings at Holyrood here with us on this live page.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie reiterates the call for the minister to apologise to students.

Mr Rennie also asks why the government is not doing routine asymptomatic testing of students.

Mr Lochhead explains again the government takes advice from public health professionals and it has been to test those with symptoms.

The Scottish Greens education spokesperson criticises "the lack of detail and what seems like a lack of urgency" being shown by the government.

Ross Greer asks what additional support for self-isolating students is being considered now.

Mr Lochhead points out universities have a duty of care to deliver the required support and he reiterates it is essential that is their priority.

"The truth is that the government failed to prepare a plan properly for students' return and then, panicking, rewrote and contradicted their own advice every few hours over the weekend," argues the Scottish Labour education spokesperson.

Iain Gray says: "This is a gold standard government fiasco."

He says today's insipid statement provides little consolation or hope and he calls for an apology from the minister and for financial support for universities now.

Image source, bbc

Mr Lochhead says financial support for universities is being kept under review.

The minister insists a similar approach has been taken by all four of the UK's nations, including in Wales which has a Labour administration.

"We're doing our best to keep them safe," says Mr Lochhead, in terms of students.

Jamie Greene says the handling of recent events by the Scottish government left thousands of students confused over guidance.

The Scottish Conservative education spokesperson says it "was hastily written, then re-written as the Scottish government struggled to respond to circumstances that were entirely predictable".

Mr Greene asks why widespread community testing of students has not been introduced and why there is no certainty about refunds for accommodation or a guaranteed return to university if they choose to go home.

Mr Lochhead replies the advice given to the government is that the focus should be on testing students with symptoms.

He points out a role for asymptomatic testing on Scotland's campuses is being explored.

The minister adds the new Scottish government guidance, external for students was published only days after new restrictions were introduced in Scotland.

Mr Lochhead says: "Importantly we want students to have the option to return home safely at Christmas."

He says the Scottish government is working on the best approach for this, which will include the possibility of staggering university term end dates.

The minister says we must not blame students and the vast majority are coping well and abiding by the restrictions.

Mr Lochhead says: "We expect institutions to help students comply with the rules and to support them in doing so."

"There's a clear duty of care to their staff and students."

To date 759 students in halls of residence have tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland, the minister confirms.

He details the testing systems in place for students and says the government is considering some targeted surveillance testing.

Everyone with symptoms should self-isolate with their households.

Students deserve the utmost of support and anything less is wholly unacceptable, he adds.

"Universities should be providing a gold standard stay at campus support package for all students self-isolating."

Image source, bbc

Higher and Further Education Minister Richard Lochhead begins by saying thank you to students and staff at colleges, universities and at student accommodation.

"Thank you for the sacrifices you have made since the start of the pandemic.

"Thank you for what you are doing to support others and help keep everyone else safe."

He says he knows it is really hard right now for students and he adds it is "heartbreaking" for first year students missing out on a once in a lifetime experience.

Mr Lochhead stresses the importance of continuing higher and further education, which he says is why the government has consistently planned for a blended learning approach with some face to face teaching.

Image source, bbc

Higher and Further Education Minister Richard Lochhead is delivering a statement on supporting students through the global pandemic.

You can watch the proceedings at Holyrood here with us on this live page.

Image source, Getty Images

BACKGROUND:

Students in Scotland have been told they can leave their university accommodation and return home - under strict conditions.

New Scottish government guidance, external says they can move home permanently or to self-isolate, but only if other members of the household go into quarantine for 14 days.

Shorter indoor visits are only permitted if there is a "reasonable excuse" such as a bereavement or family emergency.

The key message is students should remain were they are, including in student accommodation, if they are able to do so.

• Read more here
• What will it cost students to return home?
• Students warned of Covid rule breach fines
• Can students go home? Your questions answered

Image source, Getty Images

Higher and Further Education Minister Richard Lochhead will now deliver a statement on supporting students through the global pandemic.

You can watch the proceedings at Holyrood here with us on this live page.

If you're just joining us here are the headlines that emerged from today' Scottish government coronavirus briefing:

• Seven more deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 have been recorded in Scotland

• That's the highest daily total of deaths since 17 June
• A further 640 new positive test results were also reported, with 137 people being treated in hospital
• The total number of people to have died in Scotland within 28 days of testing positive now stands at 2,519
• The National Records of Scotland says the virus has been mentioned as a contributing factor or suspected cause of death on 4,257 death certificates
• The first minister says the Scottish government will introduce a Self-Isolation Support Grant of £500
• The £500 financial support is expected to begin from 12 October for people on low incomes being told to self isolate
• To be eligible you must have been told to self isolate through the Test and Protect programme
• Scotland's chief nursing officer says a number of NHS services, including free NHS eye tests, have begun to reopen

Image source, Getty Images

The afternoon proceedings at the Scottish Parliament are dominated by the coronavirus pandemic:

• 2:00-2.50pm Portfolio Questions: Social Security and Older People; Finance
• 2.50-3.20 pm: Ministerial Statement: Supporting students through the global pandemic
• 3.20-5.45pm Scottish Labour Party Debate: Health and Wellbeing: Recognising the Importance of Family Caregivers
• 5:45pm Decision Time

You can watch the proceedings at Holyrood here with us on this live page.

Click here for the daily update on the number and location of coronavirus cases in Scotland.

Prof Linda Bauld also expressed concern about the use of "sticks without enough carrots" when asked about high fines for people who failed to self isolate in England.

She said that police powers to break up mass gatherings were "entirely appropriate" but when it came to self isolating, a focus on support was best rather than a "blame approach".

She welcomed the Scottish government's announcement of the self isolation payments, though added "it is not perhaps as generous as Germany or Denmark, but will make a difference."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier in the programme Prof Linda Bauld, an expert in public health at the University of Edinburgh, shared concerns that more restrictions might be imposed on bars and restaurants "if the numbers continue to go in the wrong direction".

She said that despite the best efforts of business owners, social distancing might not be maintained in these environments, which increases risk of transmission.

However she said she believed neither the Scottish nor UK governments wanted to shut down businesses to improve Covid figures, but rather it was about "balancing risks and benefits".

Image source, Google

The Scottish Conservative leader says people should avoid criticising the hospitality sector as a whole when it comes to the spread of Covid.

It comes after one student pub in Aberdeen was linked to 62 cases of coronavirus among Aberdeen University students.

Is it time for more action to be taken against hospitality?

Mr Ross replies individual examples must be looked at and adds we shouldn't have a broad brush approach and be criticising the whole sector because of one or two bad examples.

"The hospitality industry is one that is effectively facing what they call three winters during this pandemic and it is an industry we need to support, because it is so much about what we do in Scotland. Across the whole country we rely on a strong and healthy hospitality trade."

He wants to see the Scottish and UK government's supporting them.

Douglas Ross says people expect Scotland's two governments to work together.

He insists there has been "an extremely comprehensive package of support from the UK government".

The Scottish Conservative leader argues the work of the furlough scheme must be built upon by the Scottish government.

It must use the powers it has to provide more help to support businesses and local communities hit be more restrictions, he adds.

Mr Ross says there is more funding and support coming from the UK government and he insists further measures could be introduced by the Scottish government right now.

He points to his suggestion of a hardship fund for areas hit by further restrictions.