• Deputy First Minister John Swinney says the behaviour of Rangers fans who broke Covid rules to celebrate the club's Premiership title win was an "absolute disgrace"
• He says Rangers should have told fans not to congregate to celebrate the win but their silence was "deafening"
• Rangers say they understand the "jubilance" of their fans but insist they did engage with government on public health messages
• Experts warn there is a 'considerable risk' of more infections following the Rangers celebrations in Glasgow

• All secondary school pupils are to be offered Covid tests as part of the phased return which gets underway next Monday
• Pupils in S1-S3 will be asked to wear face coverings in classrooms when they return part time from next week
• Another 501 people have tested positive for Covid-19 - 5% of all those tested, and one confirmed Covid death has been reported in the last 24 hours.
• The number of people in hospital has increase by 26 to 654, but this is as a result of chnages to the way cases are counted.
• There has been a slight dip in the supply of vaccinations but it is expected to accelerate significantly in the second half of March and April
• Tomorrow's statement from the first minister could include some easing of outdoor meeting restrictions says Swinney

That's all for today. Stay safe and we'll be back for more tomorrow.

Image source, PA Media

Rangers fans are not the only supporters who have broken coronavirus rules to mark a winning moment. Although much of the last year has seen professional sports - from football and rugby to tennis and athletics - continue to compete, they have done so without fans.

• In June last year, jubilant Liverpool FC fans descended on the streets outside Anfield and in the city centre to celebrate winning the Premier League for the first time in 30 years. Although the pandemic was out of its first wave, there were restrictions in place which outlawed large gatherings.
• A month later, Leeds United supporters gathered outside the Elland Road stadium to mark their team's promotion-winning season back to England's top flight.
• Scotland fans were triumphant in November last year when the national side bagged their place at the Euro 2020 finals. A bar in Aberdeen where fans were filmed celebrating the win - in an apparent breach of Covid rules - was ordered to remove all televisions.
• A bit further from home, fans of the University of Alabama football team gathered in the streets of Tuscaloosa in Alabama, ignoring social distancing. They were celebrating the university's third national championship in the past six years.

Rangers says it enagaged with the Scottish government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to Covid public health messages ahead of its league title win.

In a statement, external published on its website shortly before the coronavirus briefing, the club said it understood the "jubilance" of their fans but recognised their "great frustration" they were unable to watch the team in stadiums.

Image source, Getty Images

"We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines – stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time," it added.

"We are aware there is the possibility of more, significant milestones within this season, and we will continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders to maintain a cohesive message in relation to government guidance at this present time."

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says it is unfair to criticise the police response to the gatherings in Glasgow.

"We should not blame the police, this was purely the responsibility of the fans that turned out," he says.

"It was selfish, it was stupid and it needs to not be repeated so what we need is proper leadership from the club."

Mr Rennie said the incident highlights the "vaccination by occupation" issue again as many of the police officers attending were doing so without a Covid jab.

Image source, PA

Linsey Hanna from Bauer Radio asks what impact this will have on easing restrictions.

Ms Hanna also ask what the point is of police being able to hand out fines, if only seven were handed out yesterday in Glasgow.

Mr Swinney replies: "If the data goes in the wrong direction because of what went on at the weekend that will have an effect on our decision making.

"There are consequences that flow from all of these events."

Dr Gregor Smith says "it sows the seeds of doubt in my mind", as it will be two to three weeks before the impact of the weekend is seen.

Jack Foster from Global Radio asks how much time has been lost by the government in fighting Covid, due to the internal fighting in the SNP.

Mr Foster points out Nicola Sturgeon could only lead one briefing last week due to the Salmond Inquiry and Mr Swinney himself is facing a vote of no confidence.

Mr Swinney insists "the first minister is right across all of this" and he lists the updates Ms Sturgeon provided last week and will do so this week.

"In all respects we are making huge progress," adds Mr Swinney.

"Covid is getting all the attention it requires within government."

Lothians Green MSP, Alison Johnstone, says she was "disappointed and angry" at the fans gathering in Glasgow.

"It’s fairly easy to understand that hundreds, possibly thousands, of people getting together is not acceptable at the moment," she says.

"Questions have to be asked about the manner in which the event was policed."

Ms Johnstone claims there has been "tougher stances on other gathering" during the pandemic from Police Scotland.

Peter Smith of ITV News says Rangers manager Steven Gerrard put out a video on Friday calling on fans to adhere to government guidelines.

Mr Smith asks if a tweet from the football club could have cleared the streets more effectively than the police could have done.

He asks what more could have happened in advance to prevent the events of last night and whether asymptomatic testing of the police should be brought in.

Image source, Reuters

Mr Swinney says there should have been sustained messaging from Rangers throughout the weekend that fans should disperse.

The fans should have followed their own sense of responsibility, he adds.

Mr Swinney says the police had to make a judgment about its response, but fundamentally there needs to be very clear messaging from the club about staying home and he says that was absent at the weekend.

Dr Gregor Smith says he would not advocate mass asymptomatic testing for police officers at this time.

Dr Stephen Griffin, a virologist at the University of Leeds, says there is a "considerable risk" a wave of infections will be caused by the Rangers fans gathering in Glasgow.

"There's almost certainly going to be people who are infectious among that crowd," he says.

"The risks of being outdoors are lower but that is not to say there is no risk."

Dr Griffin says the risk was heightened by the lack of face coverings in the crowd and people "letting their guard down" when celebrating and embracing each other.

Back at the briefing David Shanks also asks about the uptake of lateral flow testing by teachers and senior pupils.

The chief medical officer says he is very encouraged by the uptake.

Dr Gregor Smith says there is a very low positive yield for those tests at 0.04%, all of which were adult staff members.

He welcomes the extension to all secondary school pupils.

Image source, PA Media

Looking ahead to the first minister's Covid update on Tuesday, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he hoped it would contain some good news.

The Moray MP said speeding up the easing of some Covid restrictions would "give people some hope".

He said: "We said at the time [of Scotland's Covid roadmap announcement in February] the first minister hadn’t given enough hope and hadn’t really acknowledged the impact that the vaccine rollout has had."

Mr Ross also warned that "irresponsible behaviour" like the Rangers fans gathering in Glasgow will "only delay us getting back to normal".

David Shanks from BBC Scotland says with a trophy presentation and a Scottish Cup Final to come, are assurances enough or do tougher measures need to be in place?

Mr Swinney says the government will engage with clubs, the football authorities and Police Scotland about their obligations about supporting the messages about the law on staying at home and avoiding crowded places.

The government must be satisfied there will not be a repeat of what happened at the weekend and Mr Swinney says he will not rule out anything today.

Dr Gregor Smith, chief medical officer for Scotland, described the scenes of Rangers fans in such close proximity as "demoralising".

Dr Smith said it was "entirely plausible" that the two days of celebrations and close contact between fans could result in an increase in infections.

He said: "It is reasonable to suspect that in the crowds we saw over the weekend, with so many people coming together, that there will be some people who are capable of passing on that infection just now."

Image source, PA

Journalists' questions begins with Ronnie Charters, of STV News, who asks John Swinney what more Rangers could have done.

The deputy first minister said there was a "deep element of concern" over the club's response.

He said stronger messages from Rangers could have helped to "defuse the situation and crucially disperse the crowds".

Mr Swinney says the most important rule of all remains "stay at home".

Here's a reminder of the rules and regulations:

1. Scottish government - Coronavirus: What you can and cannot do, external

From Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from level four to a temporary lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home, external except for essential purposes.

• Read a quick guide to what you can and cannot do: stay at home infographic, external
• Download the Protect Scotland app, external from NHS Scotland

2. Scottish government - Coronavirus: Strategic Framework update - February 2021, external

The first minister set out the plan to restore, in a phased way, greater normality to our everyday lives.

3. BBC Scotland - Covid in Scotland: What rules are changing, and when?

Image source, Scottish government

Mr Swinney says the first minister will update parliament on the pandemic around 14:20 tomorrow.

He says the government is hopeful some of the restrictions on people's social interactions outdoors may be eased.

On Wednesday the first minister will appear before the Covid-19 committee at lunchtime.

Mr Swinney turns to schools as children in P4 -7 prepare to return to school full-time next week.

A phased return of secondary school pupils will also begin on Monday and guidance is being published today.

All staff and secondary school pupils will now have to wear face coverings and observe 2m social distancing.

The education secretary expects all secondary school pupils will return to full-time in person learning after Easter.

Mr Swinney confirms all secondary school pupils will be offered twice weekly tests after the holidays.

Mr Swinney says many people have questions about the policing yesterday and why they did not prevent people from gathering.

"'I understand the anger of those living and working in the city centre at what they saw and what took place."

Image source, Getty Images

The justice secretary has spoken to Police Scotland's chief constable and to Rangers Football Club and will be doing so again.

This is to help understand why yesterday's events took place, what actions are being taken to identify those responsible and to prevent any repeat says Mr Swinney.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Swinney says the fans who broke the Covid rules showed no regard for people who have sacrificed meeting up with friends or family, or in some cases attending funerals of their loved ones.

He says the government and Police Scotland advised Rangers to remind fans of the need to adhere to the restrictions.

"It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen," he adds.

The deputy first minister says the government's "extreme disappointment" will be made clear to the team management.

It will also seek assurances for forthcoming games from the relevant authorities.

The deputy first minister turns to yesterday's events in Glasgow.

Mr Swinney congratulates Rangers on their success and thanks all the fans who celebrated at home and followed the rules.

"But the behaviour of some fans has been an absolute disgrace and has undoubtedly cast a shadow over what should have been a special day for the team," he adds.

He says so many people have stuck to extremely tough rules and to see "so many people deliberately flouting these rules with no regard for the safety of others is shameful".

"Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus."