Firms in Scotland can move to a "hybrid" system of home and office working next week, Nicola Sturgeon confirms.

• Guidance urging people to work from home wherever possible in Scotland is to be relaxed
• Instead, a "hybrid" system of office and remote working will be introduced from Monday 31 January
• First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the move was possible due to a "significant" fall in Covid-19 cases
• But she warns that a "mass return" to offices overnight could run the risk of pushing infection levels up again
• The requirement for 2m physical distancing in some indoor settings such as churches is to be relaxed
• The rules for schools are being "kept under close and regular review"
• Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says decisions about home and office working should be "left to employers and the workers themselves"
• Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says a new approach to managing the virus is needed, adding "we cannot expect people to live their lives in perpetual crisis"

Image source, Getty Images

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton challenges the first minister on a "litany of social problems" - including in the health service and with poverty - which he says the government has deferred because of the pandemic.

Yet, he says, "miraculously" we are told this week that the threat of the virus has abated to such an extent that we can hold an independence referendum in 2023.

Mr Cole-Hamilton asks the FM if she understands the anger of front-line health care staff, "who are on their knees", as the government "turns its eyes away from them"

Ms Sturgeon says her government focuses on these issues each and every day and that will continue as we come out of the pandemic and hopefully into the recovery phase.

The first minister insists the Scottish government continues to adapt to changing circumstances.

Ms Sturgeon pledges to look seriously at Anas Sarwar's proposals for Covid guidance.

She insists her government will continue to respond to changing circumstances.

Anas Sarwar gets to his feet and says "the picture is improving".

The Scottish Labour leader tells MSPs: "We need a new approach."

He calls on new decisions to be proportionate and for clear triggers for change to be identified.

Mr Sarwar says: "We cannot expect people to live their lives in perpetual crisis."

Mr Ross also challenges the first minister on face masks remaining mandatory in secondary schools beyond this month, when Scotland's national clinical director has said "the day is coming" when they should be scrapped.

Ms Sturgeon says she is desperate for an end to disruption in education but anyone who looks at recent figures on cases in the under-15s being up by 41% and says this is the time to relax rules "is frankly not being responsible".

The first minister moves on to financial support for businesses affected by closure and staff shortages, saying payments are already being made in every council area in the country.

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Ms Sturgeon tells Douglas Ross she has already confirmed that the new guidance says we should allow businesses to determine how to manage hybrid working in consultation with staff and trade unions.

She says anyone looking at the data right now must accept that a "mass return to the office" with all its implications for public transport and too may people coming together would risk setting us back.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says the latest data is very positive.

But he says it is vital that in the weeks and months ahead, the people of Scotland must be trusted "to judge what's best for them and their families".

So, he questions, why is the first minister still advising against a wholescale return to office work and not leaving it to bosses and staff to choose?

Mr Ross also calls on the FM to row back on this week's news that plans for a second independence referendum can start to be drawn up.

He says: "When will the first minister get on with delivering for Scotland and not dividing?"

The first minister stresses: "We can all help ensure that the waters remain calm by taking the sensible steps we know help stem transmission."

• get fully vaccinated as soon as you can.
• continue to take care when socialising.
• take a lateral flow test before you meet others, every time.
• keep windows open indoors.
• continue to work from home for now - but talk to your employer about a return to hybrid working from the start of next month.
• wear a face covering on public transport, in shops, and when moving about in hospitality.
• and follow all advice on hygiene.

Ms Sturgeon concludes by saying: "Stick with them to protect yourself, others and the NHS."

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From this week, five to 11 year olds with specific medical conditions are being invited for vaccine appointments.

Parents and carers will either receive a letter inviting them to call the national phone line, or a letter directly from their local health board.

More detail from NHS Inform, external.

Image source, Scottish government

The Distance Aware scheme is intended to help people who might be worried about going out.

Ms Sturgeon tells MSPs: "Badges and lanyards with the Distance Aware logo will be available to anyone who wants one, and will indicate to other people that the person wearing the logo would like a bit of extra space, and a bit more care taken around them.

"The badges and lanyards are available – free – at mobile and community libraries across Scotland this week, and badges are also available in most ASDA supermarkets. They are also available online from some participating charities."

Read more about the scheme here.

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From Friday 11 February, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a test after they arrive in Scotland – although they will still be required to complete a passenger locator form.

Travellers to Scotland who are not fully vaccinated will still be required to take a pre-departure test no more than two days before they board their plane, and also take a PCR test on, or before, day two of their arrival here.

For international travel purposes, people are deemed to be fully vaccinated if they have completed at least a primary course of vaccination – for most people, that means at least two doses.

This international definition, which doesn’t currently require booster or third vaccines, will be kept under review.

The first minister says: "While these changes will be very welcome to travellers and the travel industry, it is important to point out that no government can completely rule out having to tighten travel requirements again if certain circumstances - most obviously another new variant - were to arise."

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However, Ms Sturgeon says - for now - there will be no change to rules on face coverings in secondary schools. She says this is a matter which will stay under review and "receive careful consideration".

The FM confirms two other changes to guidance:

From Friday, the requirement for two-metre distancing in indoor settings will revert to one metre.

Also from Friday, face coverings will no longer be required for any adult taking part in organised activities when they are directly interacting with children under the age of five.

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Ms Sturgeon tells the chamber the current guidance on working from home - strengthened in response to Omicron - will be now be updated.

"Instead of recommending home working whenever practical, the new guidance will pave the way for a phased return to the office."

From Monday 31 January, employers should consider implementing hybrid working – following appropriate guidance - with workers spending some time in the office and some time at home.

"We would not expect to see a wholesale return to the office next week – indeed, given that the level of infection, though falling, remains high, a mass return at this stage is likely to set progress back."

"But we know there are many benefits to both employees and employers, and to the economy as a whole, in at least a partial return to the office at this stage."

"This progress is real and I am hopeful it can be sustained," continues the first minister.

"That said, we know there are uncertainties still ahead and the virus continues to be unpredictable."

"All of this means that while our return to more normality can be made with confidence, we should still exercise some caution. "

Image source, Getty Images

Ms Sturgeon says yesterday marked a significant return to normality with the lifting of all of the following measures:

• limits on attendance at indoor public events
• nightclub closures
• the requirement for one metre physical distancing between groups in hospitality and indoor leisure premises
• the requirement for table service in hospitality venues serving alcohol on the premises
• the guidance against adult indoor non-professional contact sport

The first minister says the data from this last week paint a "broadly positive picture".

Ms Sturgeon goes on to say: "There have been significant reductions in every age group, except the under 15s - in this younger age group, cases have increased by 41%."

Nicola Sturgeon gets to her feet and begins, as ever, with the latest Covid statistics.