Summary

  • Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says it will be possible to transport the Pfizer vaccine to people living in care homes

  • She tells MSPs this follows confirmation that doses can be transported in an unfrozen state for 12 hours and be undiluted for up to five days

  • Earlier, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a further 51 people who had tested positive for the virus had died

  • There are currently 982 patients in hospital who have had a positive Covid test which is nine fewer than yesterday. Of that number 69 are in ICU, one more than yesterday

  • The number of people who tested positive in the last 24 hours was 958 which is 4.3% of all tests.

  1. First minister's questions is next...published at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, Scottish Parliament

    Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the Covid-19 pandemic ahead of FMQs, beginning at 12.20pm.

    The first minister can expect questions about coronavirus and the vaccination programme, the Christmas school holidays and BiFab going into administration.

  2. Covid in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    Covid in Scotland: The headlines

    • The education secretary confirms there will be no extension to Scotland's school Christmas holidays
    • John Swinney tells Holyrood's Covid-19 committee that "the government intends to make no change to the school holiday arrangements"
    • Mr Swinney also says there will be a staggered return of students to Scotland's university and college campuses in January. Covid-19 testing will also be in place
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  3. Here's the letter from the education secretary to the Covid-19 Committee...published at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  4. Analysis: No change to this year's Christmas holiday datespublished at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    Jamie McIvor
    BBC Scotland education correspondent

    SchoolsImage source, PA Media

    The idea of extending and standardising the Christmas holidays was a divisive one.

    On the one hand, there was the argument over whether an extension could play a part in the control of coronavirus –especially after the relaxation of the rules around Christmas.

    On the other hand, there were arguments concerning the disruption to education, challenges with childcare and the impact on the economy.

    Education Secretary John Swinney has confirmed there will be no national move to change the holidays. More details are expected shortly when the first minister speaks before FMQs.

    There’s speculation individual councils will be allowed to change the dates locally if they so wish.

    Some councils are known to be relaxed about bringing forward the date schools close on but are concerned about delaying the return in January.

  5. No extension to Scottish school Christmas holidayspublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    PupilsImage source, Getty Images

    There will be no extension to Scotland's school Christmas holidays, the country's education secretary has confirmed.

    Talks had been held about potentially shutting all schools on 18 December and reopening them again on 11 January.

    But there had been concern about the impact on teaching time and the difficulties it could cause parents.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give more details to the Scottish Parliament later.

    Holiday dates in Scotland vary between different council areas, with many schools due to finish on 22 or 23 December before returning between 5 and 7 January.

  6. Welcome!published at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2020

    FMQsImage source, bbc

    Welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland on Thursday 3 December 2020.

    Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on the Covid-19 pandemic ahead of FMQs, beginning at 12.20pm.

    Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will make a statement from 2.55pm on the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Scotland.

    We'll bring you coverage of both of course here on the live page, where you can watch or listen to FMQs and the statement.