Scotland is currently recording an average of 570 new Covid cases a day.

The first minister points out "case numbers have fallen sharply" as a result of the tough restrictions we are all living under.

However the first minister says the 570 cases per day on average over the past week is up slightly from an average of 490 the week before.

She stresses there is "no room for complacency" with "care and caution" continuing to be essential.

Image source, Getty Images

Monday 5 April will see the beginning of the phased re-opening of non essential retail.

Click and collect retail services will be permitted to reopen, along with homeware stores, and car showrooms and forecourts.

Garden centres will also be able to reopen on 5 April

Hairdresser and barber salons to reopen for appointments on 5 April.

The current ‘stay at home’ rule will be replaced by guidance to "stay local" on 2 April.

The first minister says delivery of the plans to end lockdown is dependent on continued progress in suppressing the virus and rolling out vaccines.

Ms Sturgeon hopes today's statement will provide assurance "brighter days are ahead of us".

The first minister outlines the latest pandemic statistics..

She tells the chamber that on next week's anniversary of lockdown, "the whole nation will be invited to share in a minute’s silence, as we reflect on those we have lost and on the painful sacrifices that have been made by so many over the past year".

Nicola Sturgeon begins by saying today's statement will set out "the next steps out of lockdown and back towards a way of life that is much closer to normality."

The first minister says she will set out in some detail how and in what order restrictions will be eased between now and the middle of May.

• Nicola Sturgeon will shortly set out dates for the end of the "stay at home" rule and the reopening of shops and hospitality in Scotland
• Some measures could be phased in from 5 April, with further changes later in the month and more to follow in May
• The EU medicines regulator has reiterated there is "no indication" that the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab causes blood clots
• Latest Scottish government figures, external reveal a further 597 people have tested positive for Covid-19
• That's 3.8% of the tests carried out yesterday
• A further seven deaths - of people who tested positive in the last 28 days - have been registered.
• More than 34,000 people were given their first dose of the vaccine yesterday

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon is in the chamber at Holyrood to update MSPs on the Scottish government's Covid response.

We should learn the dates for the end of the "stay at home" regulations and when shops and hospitality will start to re-open.

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.

• What Covid rules are changing, and when?

Image source, Reuters

The European Union medicines regulator has reiterated there is "no indication" that the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab causes blood clots, after several countries paused their rollouts.

European Medicines Agency (EMA) head Emer Cooke said she remained "firmly convinced" that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed any risks.

An investigation into cases of clots in a handful of recipients is ongoing.

The World Health Organization has urged countries not to halt vaccinations.

Vaccine safety experts from the WHO are also meeting on Tuesday to review the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab.

• Read more here
• Is the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine safe?
• Is Europe's AstraZeneca jab decision-making flawed?
• Why is the EU having vaccine problems?

Above are the indicative dates we know already, but will there be any acceleration in the easing of restrictions today?

We'll find out shortly.

Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs from around 14.15 today.

Image source, Getty Images

The figures also confirm that as of 08:30 on Tuesday a total of 1,943,507 people had received their first dose of the vaccine, an increase of 34,516 since yesterday.

In addition, 170,892 have received their second dose – an increase of 8,947.

Overall, a total of 43,463 people received vaccinations yesterday.

Latest Scottish government figures, external reveal a further 597 people have tested positive for Covid-19, which is 3.8% of the tests carried out yesterday.

This takes the total number of positive cases in Scotland to 210,605.

There are 440 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, a decrease of seven, and 42 in intensive care, which is an increase of two from yesterday.

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

That brings the total under that measure to 7,517.

Image source, Getty Images

So more details about the "key early milestones in our route back to normality" will be outlined by the first minister shortly.

It will include a number of proposed dates, such as when the "stay at home" regulations will end, when shops and hospitality will start to re-open and when we'll get more flexibility to meet up with other households.

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

Image source, PA Media

A leading public health expert has said much of our lives could return to normal as early as mid-June.

Prof Linda Bauld says she is "very optimistic" most restrictions will be lifted, including many of the social distancing requirements.

Scotland has been in lockdown since 5 January with people being urged to stay at home unless it is essential.

But the first minister has said the country is making progress in supressing the virus.

Read more here.

So not long now until we learn the dates for the end of the "stay at home" rule and the reopening of shops and hospitality in Scotland.

Some measures could be phased in from 5 April, with further changes later in the month and more to follow in May.

The first minister said things were set to "get a fair bit better in the weeks and months ahead" as restrictions ease.

However, she warned that she would not "throw caution to the wind" and risk Covid-19 cases running out of control.

Ms Sturgeon will address MSPs from around 14.15 after discussing the latest scientific evidence and advice with her cabinet in the morning.

Opposition parties have called for greater clarity about what changes will be made and for the government to give people more hope for the future.

• More pupils return to school as lockdown eases
• What Covid 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 16 March 2021.

The first minister is preparing to set out dates for the end of the "stay at home" rule and the reopening of shops and hospitality in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon is due to begin her statement in Holyrood's chamber from about 14:15, following topical questions.

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