The first minister says there is increasing confidence that as more and more people acquire some protection through vaccination, the government will be able to ease restrictions while still keeping the R number below 1.

She says: "So the prospects are now very encouraging indeed.

"That said, getting the timing of all of this right is essential."

However, she stresses: "Caution is still essential at this stage."

Image source, PA Media

The first minister points out improving trends in new cases, people in hospital, and deaths, although she stresses they are still higher than we would want to see.

Ms Sturgeon also highlights "excellent progress with the vaccination programme".

The first minister goes on to confirm the start of scheduling of appointments for people in JCVI priority groups 8 and 9 – that is, people who are 55 to 59 years old, and people who are 50 to 54 years old.

Many in these age groups - 30% of 50 to 54-year-olds and 36% of 55 to 59-year-olds - have had the first dose already due to having an underlying health condition.

The target is to have vaccinated everyone over 50, all unpaid carers and all adults with an underlying health condition - by mid-April.

In two weeks’ time – on 23 March - we will reach the first anniversary of lockdown.

The Scottish government has been in contact with a number of organisations to discuss how we can best mark that day, and on 22 March the first minister will meet representatives of UK Covid Families for Justice.

Current plans for 23 March include a national silence.

Communal worship is to restart from Friday 26 March.

The limit on attendance at communal services will be increased from 20 to 50 - assuming 2 metre physical distancing is possible.

For 12 to 17-year-olds, outdoor meetings will also be limited to a maximum of four people. But the two household limit won’t apply. So four friends from four different families will be able to meet up outdoors.

And from Friday, outdoor non-contact sports and organised group exercise will be permitted for all adults, in groups of up to 15 people.

From Friday, up to four adults from up to two households will be able to meet outdoors, for social and recreational purposes, as well as essential exercise.

Meetings will be possible in any outdoor space, including private gardens.

Ms Sturgeon confirms the government will be having further discussions this week with the football authorities and with certain football clubs who she says need to show much more leadership.

The first minister says her comments are in no way partisan and points out she said some harsh things about Celtic’s decisions at the start of this year.

However she goes on to say: "As far as I am concerned in this case, Rangers Football Club could have done more to help avoid this situation arising at the weekend."

"We cannot simply turn a blind eye to what happened at the weekend and we won’t."

The government will report back ahead of the Old Firm match scheduled for 21 March - on the various discussions taking place this week.

Ms Sturgeon says the vast majority of us are doing the right thing because know it matters - for our own health and the health of our loved ones.

"It is about saving lives. And it is working."

Image source, Getty Images

The first ministers says she shares "the anger and despair that the vast majority of people" felt at the weekend towards crowds of supporters "flagrantly breaching rules" that the rest of us are following every day at great personal cost.

Ms Sturgeon says: "The behaviour witnessed at the weekend was disgraceful and selfish."

She adds: "Those at fault are those who breached the rules."

The first minister explains she will be speaking to the chief constable later this afternoon to consider what further action might be necessary to avoid any repeat of the unacceptable scenes we saw at the weekend.

The first minister says next week she will set out a firmer indicative timetable for reopening the economy, including shops, hospitality, hairdressers, gyms and parts of our tourism sector.

The first minister says she will update parliament about some changes to the lockdown restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon points out these changes relate to outdoor meetings and activities.

She will also announce a change she hopes will be welcome by Scotland's faith communities.

The changes are relatively minor but important for our wellbeing says the first minister.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon has arrived in the main chamber and will begin her update on the Covid response shortly, following a brief rundown of the daily statistics.

Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland are expected to be eased slightly to allow more people to meet up outdoors.

You can follow the statement right here on this live page and watch by clicking one of tabs above for BBC One Scotland or the BBC Scotland Channel.

The full parliamentary proceedings are also available.

Image source, PA Media

Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland are expected to be eased slightly to allow more people to meet up outdoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs about the state of the pandemic and lockdown at Holyrood.

On Monday, her deputy John Swinney said "the data is going in the right direction" and that ministers were "hopeful" that measures could be eased.

However the overall "stay at home" order is expected to remain in place for some weeks to come.

Mr Swinney said changes would have to be made in a "sustainable" manner so that transmission of the virus does not run out of control again.

• Read more here
• What Covid rules are changing, and when?
• Where are the latest Covid cases in Scotland?
• Tighter rules will be used to decide Covid levels

The figures also confirm that as of 08:30 a total of 1,789,377 people had received their first dose of the vaccine, an increase of 14,718 since yesterday.

In addition, 123,686 have received their second dose – an increase of 4,954.

Overall, a total of 19,672 people received vaccinations yesterday.

Latest Scottish government figures, external reveal a further 466 people have tested positive for Covid-19, which is 3.3% of the tests carried out yesterday.

This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 206,465.

There are 614 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, a decrease of 40, and 50 in intensive care, which is down nine from yesterday.

A further 19 deaths - of people who tested positive in the last 28 days - have been registered.

Image source, Reuters

Before the first minister begins her update, we have topical questions.

Just the one today from SNP MSP Sandra White, asking about discussions between the government and Police Scotland about some Rangers fans flouting the Covid restrictions at the weekend.

Police Scotland has condemned Rangers for failing to ask fans to return home after they gathered in Glasgow for title celebrations.

A senior officer said there had been a "lack of support" from the club despite repeated requests from police.

Earlier Deputy First Minister John Swinney also criticised Rangers for a "lack of leadership".

Rangers insisted, external its fans had been urged to follow the lockdown guidelines.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

So more details about the exit from lockdown in Scotland will be outlined by the first minister shortly.

Here's the restrictions as they currently stand:

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, Getty Images

Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland on Tuesday 8 March 2021.

The first minister is preparing to update MSPs on any changes to the lockdown restrictions.

Covid-19 restrictions in Scotland are expected to be eased slightly to allow more people to meet up outdoors.

Nicola Sturgeon is due in the chamber from about 14:00 and will begin her statement following a topical question on some Rangers supporters flouting Covid rules at the weekend.

We will bring you her statement here live, plus all the opposition reaction, as well as analysis of what is announced.