Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon says "we just don't know exactly what role" vaccine passports will play, adding that a "grown up debate" is needed

  • The number of positive cases grew by 259 which was 2% of total tests. There are 196 hospital patients with Covid-19 and of that number 21 are in ICU

  • The first minister confirms "virtually" all secondary school pupils will return to the classroom after the Easter holidays

  • Youngsters on the shielding list would hopefully be allowed back at their desks from 26 April

  • Ms Sturgeon adds that "strict" two metre social distancing in schools will be eased, but other "mitigations" such as lateral flow tests and improved ventilation would be required

  • Changes yesterday included the reopening of hairdressers, click and collect services and garden centres

  • More significant changes are set to be phased in from 26 April, including a lifting of the travel ban within Scotland

  • The number of people who have received a first vaccine injection stands at 2,577,816

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. What can we expect from the first minister?

    Three weeks ago Nicola Sturgeon outlined a timetable of indicative dates for the easing of lockdown restrictions which have been in place since 26 December.

    Last Tuesday the first minister confirmed the latest phase would begin with a lifting of the "stay at home" order from last Friday, 2 April, and continue with the reopening of businesses such as hairdressers, homeware shops and garden centres from yesterday, 5 April.

    Today she is likely to confirm, among other things, that all secondary school pupils can return to the classroom next week after the Easter holidays.

    There may also be an update on the next significant easing of restrictions, scheduled for 26 April.

    From that date people may be able to travel outside their own local authority areas within Scotland, while all shops, gyms and tourist accommodation could also reopen, as well as some hospitality.

    Ms Sturgeon is also likely to be asked about the prospect of introducing digital "certificates" for people who have had the Covid-19 vaccine.

    A graphic of the timetable for easing restrictions

  2. Covid in Scotland: Latest headlines

    • The Scottish government is considering making digital "certificates" available to people who have had the Covid-19 vaccine
    • It would be "remiss" of the UK government not to consider Covid certification as a way of fully reopening the economy, says UK Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi
    • Hairdressers, homeware shops and garden centres are reopening in Scotland after some restrictions on the economy were eased on Monday
    • The boss of EasyJet has said testing requirements under a proposed "traffic light" system for international travel would be too expensive.
    • There have been 2,750 new coronavirus cases detected in Scotland over the past seven days, with 248 confirmed on Monday
    • More than 2.5 million people in Scotland have received a first dose of the Covid vaccination and at least 450,000 have received their second dose

  3. Welcome

    Nicola Sturgeon, wearing a face covering, has her hair coloured and cut at a hairdressers in Edinburgh on MondayPA Media

    Nicola Sturgeon took advantage of the reopening of hairdressers with a visit to a salon in Edinburgh

    Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's coverage of the latest Scottish government briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Nicola Sturgeon will give an update on the timetable for easing restrictions, with the latest phase beginning last Friday as the "stay at home" message moved to "stay local", and continued yesterday with the reopening of some businesses such as hairdressers and garden centres.

    Joining the first minister for the briefing will be national clinical director Jason Leitch and chief nursing officer Amanda Croft.

    You can follow the latest developments right here and watch or listen live by clicking on one of the tabs above - for coverage on BBC One Scotland, the BBC Scotland channel or BBC Radio Scotland.