However, from next Monday 4 April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration, or a funeral
Nicola Sturgeon at the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service on TuesdayImage caption: Nicola Sturgeon at the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service on Tuesday
The first minister was pictured during the event without wearing a face covering.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks Ms Sturgeon why this was the case and she insists she "abided by the rules in place there".
She adds, "I abide by the rules and I know that is something the Conservatives struggle to understand."
Lib Dems warns of 'visit your gran tax' with end to free LFTs
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Alex Cole-Hamilton is also concerned about the lack of detail on the removal of access to free lateral flow tests.
He calls on the FM to guarantee that all carers, NHS staff, care home staff and visitors have free access to LFTs.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader explains thousands of people continue to use LFTs and the new cost "is nothing short of a visit your gran tax".
The first minister says her government is still supporting testing in ways currently not the case in the UK.
She says it will continue to "support appropriate and targeted use of testing".
"Where we are advising people to take tests, we will not expect anyone to pay for these tests."
'Speedy access' to anti-viral drugs, insists FM
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Nicola
Sturgeon says protecting the most vulnerable people from Covid remains a key
priority.
The first
minister says offering additional booster jabs has played an important part in this but so have anti-viral drugs, promising “speedy access for those eligible for them”.
On the
Argyll and Bute booster jab issue, Ms Sturgeon says offering appointments so far away had been an error and
was being rectified and argues that it should not diminish the wider successes
of the vaccination programme.
Vulnerable must not be forgotten, says Baillie
What happens
to people who are immunocompromised, is the focus of Jackie Baillie’s questions.
The Scottish
Labour health spokeswoman says the thousands of vulnerable people who were forced to shield during lockdown should be “afforded assurance of what will happen to them” with regards to testing and anti-viral drugs.
Ms Baillie
also raises the issue of people in Argyll and Bute being offered booster jab
appointments up to 100 miles away from their homes.
FM: 'It is important that we take a cautious approach'
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The first minister says it is "inconsistent" of Mr Ross to express concern about the pressure on the NHS, while bemoaning the "very limited protective measures" that remain in place.
Ms Sturgeon says the government has set out in recent weeks investment in the NHS to help ease the pressure it is under.
Getting Covid case levels down will help the NHS, says Ms Sturgeon, who adds: "It is important that we take a cautious approach through this."
'The first minister's strategy is clearly failing' - Ross
The Scottish Conservative leader also highlights cancer treatment waiting times.
Mr Ross asks the government to set out the action the government will take now to address these "failings"
On the issue of Covid, he points out that Scotland has the the highest level of infections in the UK.
"The first minister's strategy is clearly failing," he says.
He criticises the continuation of face mask rules, arguing it should be down to the public's choice.
Mr Ross asks if face masks will be removed completely from schools, while also seeking a guarantee that there will be no further delays.
This approach strikes sensible balance, says Sturgeon
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon says phasing out the legal requirements "strikes a sensible balance" between getting rid of restrictions and the need for caution given the latest wave of infections.
The first minister says she recognises "face coverings are an inconvenience" but believes a further two weeks is a "proportionate
precautionary measure while we pass the peak of this latest wave".
Ms Sturgeon adds it is important people remember that Covid has not gone away.
Phasing out face coverings
BBCCopyright: BBC
A phased approach to getting rid of the legal obligation to wear face masks is to begin, Nicola Sturgeon says.
The first minister says the legal requirement should be replaced with guidance.
This will begin on 4 April when it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face
covering in places of worship or while attending a wedding or funeral.
Then on 18 April the legal requirement will be dropped from shops, public transport and other indoor settings.
BreakingFM confirms end to face mask law on 18 April
Nicola Sturgeon confirms Scotland's last remaining Covid regulations - over the wearing of face coverings - will be lifted but not until 18 April.
From
next Monday 4 April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face
covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil
partnership registration, or a funeral.
Then the wider legal requirement applying to shops, certain other indoor settings
and public transport will be converted to guidance two weeks later on 18 April.
Number of patients in intensive care relatively low
Nicola Sturgeon tells the chamber: "Despite
the effectiveness of vaccination, the high level of infection has put the NHS
under even more severe strain", not least in A&Es.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest Covid data as of 30 March
9,610 new cases of Covid reported
34 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
20 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
2,344 people were in hospital yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
First minister kicks off with latest statistics
The first minister gets to her feet and, as ever, begins with the latest Covid statistics.
Keep masks in high-risk environments, says infections expert
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
It is currently a legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport and other public settingsImage caption: It is currently a legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport and other public settings
Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, a leading infections expert at University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland masks should still be worn in high-risk environments such as public transport and healthcare settings but legal enforcement should be dropped.
She said cases in the wave of the Omicron sub-variant affecting Scotland had dropped off quickly in Germany and the Netherlands, despite them removing legal mask requirements.
"We are getting much less protection especially of the BA.2 subvariant because we need to inhale much fewer virus particles than we used to," Dr Tait-Burkard said.
"The surgical and cotton masks just allow for a little more of the virus to get through. They are still very good for people who are lower risk - they stop them shedding a lot of virus into the environment.
"For people who are more vulnerable, it is probably the moment to increase to an FFP3 mask just until the pressure in the environment from so many people infected actually decreases."
She advised more vulnerable people to "evaluate your personal risk" when going to high risk areas where there are lots of people and little ventilation.
Analysis
Is the face covering rule prudent or unnecessary?
Andrew Kerr
Scottish political correspondent
Scotland's cabinet met yesterday to decide if the rules on wearing masks should be lifted.
It's the last remaining legal Covid restriction.
Case numbers are now starting to dip - although the number of Covid patients in hospital has reached a record high.
The legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and indoor settings should have been lifted on the 21st of March.
However, Nicola Sturgeon said it would be "prudent" to retain it for longer, given the spike in cases.
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised what they called a "wait-and-see approach".
The cabinet will have decided whether to dispense with the final Covid restrictions in Scotland on Monday 4 April.
Given that cases are falling, it might be surprising if the mask mandate is in place for longer.
The decision is being announced in parliament today rather than yesterday - as the First Minister was in London for the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service.
What is the situation in Scotland now?
PA MEDIACopyright: PA MEDIA
Face mask rules are expected to be converted to guidance from 4 AprilImage caption: Face mask rules are expected to be converted to guidance from 4 April
All other restrictions on businesses and services moved from legal requirement to guidance on 21 March.
The rules on masks were reviewed again on 29 March, and are expected to be converted to guidance by 4 April.
At the moment, masks must be worn in most indoor public spaces including public transport, shops and gyms (although they can be temporarily removed when exercising).
They are mandatory in pubs and restaurants when not seated or dancing, as well as in the workplace in communal areas and canteens.
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
-
Scotland's last remaining Covid regulations - over the wearing of face coverings - will be lifted, but not until 18 April
-
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that until then it remains mandatory to wear face masks on public transport, in shops and in other indoor settings
View more on twitterView more on twitter -
However, from next Monday 4 April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration, or a funeral
View more on twitterView more on twitter -
9,610 new cases of Covid have been reported
-
34 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
-
20 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
-
2,344 people were in hospital yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
-
Two members of the Scottish government cabinet - including Deputy First Minister John Swinney - are isolating after testing positive for Covid-19
View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Nicola Sturgeon at the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service on TuesdayImage caption: Nicola Sturgeon at the Duke of Edinburgh memorial service on Tuesday 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC -
9,610 new cases of Covid reported
-
34 new reported deaths of people who have tested positive
-
20 people were in intensive care yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
-
2,344 people were in hospital yesterday with recently-confirmed Covid
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images It is currently a legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport and other public settingsImage caption: It is currently a legal requirement to wear face masks on public transport and other public settings Analysis
PA MEDIACopyright: PA MEDIA Face mask rules are expected to be converted to guidance from 4 AprilImage caption: Face mask rules are expected to be converted to guidance from 4 April - What are the Covid rules in Scotland
- What are the rules elsewhere?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Nicola Sturgeon will begin her update at 2pm this afternoonImage caption: Nicola Sturgeon will begin her update at 2pm this afternoon
Latest PostFirst minister's Covid update: The headlines
Sturgeon quizzed on her own face mask wearing
Nicola Sturgeon says she abided by the Covid rules during a service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip in London.
The first minister was pictured during the event without wearing a face covering.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks Ms Sturgeon why this was the case and she insists she "abided by the rules in place there".
She adds, "I abide by the rules and I know that is something the Conservatives struggle to understand."
Lib Dems warns of 'visit your gran tax' with end to free LFTs
Alex Cole-Hamilton is also concerned about the lack of detail on the removal of access to free lateral flow tests.
He calls on the FM to guarantee that all carers, NHS staff, care home staff and visitors have free access to LFTs.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader explains thousands of people continue to use LFTs and the new cost "is nothing short of a visit your gran tax".
The first minister says her government is still supporting testing in ways currently not the case in the UK.
She says it will continue to "support appropriate and targeted use of testing".
"Where we are advising people to take tests, we will not expect anyone to pay for these tests."
'Speedy access' to anti-viral drugs, insists FM
Nicola Sturgeon says protecting the most vulnerable people from Covid remains a key priority.
The first minister says offering additional booster jabs has played an important part in this but so have anti-viral drugs, promising “speedy access for those eligible for them”.
On the Argyll and Bute booster jab issue, Ms Sturgeon says offering appointments so far away had been an error and was being rectified and argues that it should not diminish the wider successes of the vaccination programme.
Vulnerable must not be forgotten, says Baillie
What happens to people who are immunocompromised, is the focus of Jackie Baillie’s questions.
The Scottish Labour health spokeswoman says the thousands of vulnerable people who were forced to shield during lockdown should be “afforded assurance of what will happen to them” with regards to testing and anti-viral drugs.
Ms Baillie also raises the issue of people in Argyll and Bute being offered booster jab appointments up to 100 miles away from their homes.
FM: 'It is important that we take a cautious approach'
The first minister says it is "inconsistent" of Mr Ross to express concern about the pressure on the NHS, while bemoaning the "very limited protective measures" that remain in place.
Ms Sturgeon says the government has set out in recent weeks investment in the NHS to help ease the pressure it is under.
Getting Covid case levels down will help the NHS, says Ms Sturgeon, who adds: "It is important that we take a cautious approach through this."
'The first minister's strategy is clearly failing' - Ross
Douglas Ross begins by reminding Ms Sturgeon that this week saw the worst A&E waiting times on record.
The Scottish Conservative leader also highlights cancer treatment waiting times.
Mr Ross asks the government to set out the action the government will take now to address these "failings"
On the issue of Covid, he points out that Scotland has the the highest level of infections in the UK.
"The first minister's strategy is clearly failing," he says.
He criticises the continuation of face mask rules, arguing it should be down to the public's choice.
Mr Ross asks if face masks will be removed completely from schools, while also seeking a guarantee that there will be no further delays.
This approach strikes sensible balance, says Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon says phasing out the legal requirements "strikes a sensible balance" between getting rid of restrictions and the need for caution given the latest wave of infections.
The first minister says she recognises "face coverings are an inconvenience" but believes a further two weeks is a "proportionate precautionary measure while we pass the peak of this latest wave".
Ms Sturgeon adds it is important people remember that Covid has not gone away.
Phasing out face coverings
A phased approach to getting rid of the legal obligation to wear face masks is to begin, Nicola Sturgeon says.
The first minister says the legal requirement should be replaced with guidance.
This will begin on 4 April when it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a wedding or funeral.
Then on 18 April the legal requirement will be dropped from shops, public transport and other indoor settings.
BreakingFM confirms end to face mask law on 18 April
Nicola Sturgeon confirms Scotland's last remaining Covid regulations - over the wearing of face coverings - will be lifted but not until 18 April.
From next Monday 4 April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration, or a funeral.
Then the wider legal requirement applying to shops, certain other indoor settings and public transport will be converted to guidance two weeks later on 18 April.
Number of patients in intensive care relatively low
Nicola Sturgeon tells the chamber: "Despite the effectiveness of vaccination, the high level of infection has put the NHS under even more severe strain", not least in A&Es.
Latest Covid data as of 30 March
First minister kicks off with latest statistics
The first minister gets to her feet and, as ever, begins with the latest Covid statistics.
Keep masks in high-risk environments, says infections expert
Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, a leading infections expert at University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland masks should still be worn in high-risk environments such as public transport and healthcare settings but legal enforcement should be dropped.
She said cases in the wave of the Omicron sub-variant affecting Scotland had dropped off quickly in Germany and the Netherlands, despite them removing legal mask requirements.
"We are getting much less protection especially of the BA.2 subvariant because we need to inhale much fewer virus particles than we used to," Dr Tait-Burkard said.
"The surgical and cotton masks just allow for a little more of the virus to get through. They are still very good for people who are lower risk - they stop them shedding a lot of virus into the environment.
"For people who are more vulnerable, it is probably the moment to increase to an FFP3 mask just until the pressure in the environment from so many people infected actually decreases."
She advised more vulnerable people to "evaluate your personal risk" when going to high risk areas where there are lots of people and little ventilation.
Is the face covering rule prudent or unnecessary?
Andrew Kerr
Scottish political correspondent
Scotland's cabinet met yesterday to decide if the rules on wearing masks should be lifted.
It's the last remaining legal Covid restriction.
Case numbers are now starting to dip - although the number of Covid patients in hospital has reached a record high.
The legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport and indoor settings should have been lifted on the 21st of March.
However, Nicola Sturgeon said it would be "prudent" to retain it for longer, given the spike in cases.
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised what they called a "wait-and-see approach".
The cabinet will have decided whether to dispense with the final Covid restrictions in Scotland on Monday 4 April.
Given that cases are falling, it might be surprising if the mask mandate is in place for longer.
The decision is being announced in parliament today rather than yesterday - as the First Minister was in London for the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial service.
What is the situation in Scotland now?
Three weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland's rules on face coverings would remain in place until April, due to a rise in Covid cases.
All other restrictions on businesses and services moved from legal requirement to guidance on 21 March.
The rules on masks were reviewed again on 29 March, and are expected to be converted to guidance by 4 April.
At the moment, masks must be worn in most indoor public spaces including public transport, shops and gyms (although they can be temporarily removed when exercising).
They are mandatory in pubs and restaurants when not seated or dancing, as well as in the workplace in communal areas and canteens.
They no longer have to be worn by secondary school students in the classroom - but are still required in "indoor communal areas" like corridors.
Under-12s are exempt.
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's live coverage of the first minister's coronavirus update.
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to reveal if the face mask rules will be lifted.
The first minister will update MSPs on whether the requirement to wear masks in shops and on public transport will end as planned on 4 April.
All of Scotland's other Covid-19 rules have now been converted into guidance.
But ministers decided to keep the rule on face coverings for an extra few weeks due to a spike in new cases.
Read more here