Summary

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says 13 new covid-linked deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours

  • A further 1,604 positive cases have been logged (9.2% of all tests carried out). There are 529 positive patients in hospital (down seven) and of those 47 are in ICU (down two)

  • Ms Sturgeon says while the rolling average of cases has dropped over the past two weeks, she continues to urge caution

  • The whole of Scotland moved into the lowest tier of restrictions - level zero - on Monday

  • More people can now meet indoors and up to 200 people can attend weddings and funerals

  • Pubs and restaurants can open until midnight. Unlike England, mask coverings will remain mandatory in Scotland "for some time to come"

  • Scotland's vaccine roll-out will be extended to children aged over 12 who are at high risk of falling ill with Covid

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. Should all teenagers be offered the vaccine?

    teeanger being vaccinatedGetty Images

    The first minister is expected to speak about – and answer questions on – the government’s decision that children over the age of 12 who are at a higher risk of falling ill with Covid will be offered the vaccine.

    It follows the latest recommendations of the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

    However, there have been calls for all teenagers, even if they are low risk, to be offered the jab now.

    Read more here.

  2. Level zero…and the way ahead

    face mask signGetty Images

    This will be Ms Sturgeon’s first Covid briefing since Scotland moved to level zero of restrictions on Monday.

    The move means more people are now allowed to meet indoors and attend weddings and funerals.

    However, some limits on outdoor meetings are to be maintained, and the mandatory use of face coverings is to remain in place for "some time".

    Read more here.

  3. Welcome

    vaccination centrePA Media

    Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland on Tuesday 20 July 2021.

    Nicola Sturgeon will be giving a briefing from 12:15 on the latest developments around the coronavirus crisis.

    Joining the first minister will be deputy chief medical officer Dr Nicola Steedman.

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