Fiona Robertson, the SQA Chief Executive and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, said the closure of schools for an extended period was an "unprecedented situation".

She said Education Secretary John Swinney had announced the cancellation of exams this year and the SQA had been asked to develop an "alternative certification model".

Ms Robertson said: "That work has started, at pace, and I will say more on that as soon as I can.

"What I can say now is that we want to ensure that we have as much information on the achievements of learners as possible.

"That is why the Deputy First Minister has asked schools and colleges to continue to work with young people to ensure that any units and coursework are completed and estimated grades are provided by teachers, drawing on the available evidence gathered throughout the year, to SQA’s existing deadlines, or earlier if that is possible.

"For many learners, we will also have prior attainment information which will be helpful to us."

She said she appreciated it was an "uncertain time".

"We will work to ensure that learners receive their results no later than 4 August, as planned," she said.

Labour education spokesman Iain Gray wonders if supermarket staff will be included on key worker lists.

The education secretary says local authorities will set their key worker lists based on local needs.

In a previous answer, Mr Swinney said parents who make a critical contribution should contact their local authority to see whether they qualify for childcare support.

Tory education spokesman Jamie Greene asks the education secretary how pupils will be assessed for qualifications and when they will find out their results.

Mr Swinney says coursework already completed, teacher assessment on expected performance and prior attainment will be used as part of the assessment in lieu of exams.

The education secretary said the chief examiner was working on the assumption awards would be made by 4 August so students can secure entrance to further or higher education.

The deputy first minister says it is likely many nurseries will close but we do not want to see all nurseries close.

He says he is advising private and third sector providers they can remain open so long as they solely support the children of key workers.

Mr Swinney says the government will continue funding schemes to early learning providers to deliver statutory hours.

He says the coronavirus will clearly have an impact on the planned expansion of nursery care to 1,140 hours per child per year and an update will be provided in due course.

Turning to the 2020 exam diet, the education secretary announces exams will not go ahead this year.

This has never happened before, he highlights.

The interests and life chances must be protected going forward and the 2020 cohort must "hold their heads high" for the work they have completed, Mr Swinney says.

A model can be put in place to ensure young people in schools and colleges who are unable to sit exams are not in any way disadvantaged, he says.

It is likely this will use coursework and teacher judgement to establish certification, he adds.

The deputy first minister says all chief social work officers have been asked to identify and support vulnerable people who are now at risk, for example, where single parents have become unwell.

Local authorities are making arrangements around free school meals, such as through vouchers or by creating community hubs from which families can collect food, Mr Swinney explains.

He confirms regulations around pupil equity funding will be relaxed to give headteachers more flexibility on how to best support pupils.

Mr Swinney insists vulnerable children who often rely on schools for a safe environment and on school meals will not be cut off.

Teachers can provide education continuity for children in a variety of ways, for example by setting weekly learning tasks and emailing these to families or using other online resources, he adds.

Ongoing childcare will be provided for those whose parents work in health and social care sectors which could mean some local authorities take the decision to keep some facilities running, the deputy first minister states.

The education secretary says parents are not expected to be a teacher or "recreate the school day" but he wants to support them, "though we do not have all the answers yet".

Education Secretary John Swinney says responding to coronavirus is the greatest national challenge and sustaining the education system has been at the forefront of his mind.

The deputy first minister praises teaching and non-teaching staff in schools and nurseries to maintain education continuity.

Scientific advice says closing schools will help to suppress the spread of the virus, he says.

The virus has alreayd had an impact on staff numbers, Mr Swinney says.

At the end of tomorrow, nurseries and schools will be expected to close, he adds.

Education Secretary John Swinney is giving an update on the exams situations.

He will say whether they will go ahead on the original timetable, if they will be delayed, or if "alternative certification" methods will be adopted.

Three more patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to six.

The first minister told the Scottish Parliament the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 had risen to 266, an increase of 39 from Wednesday.

But Nicola Sturgeon warned the figures were "likely to be an underestimate".

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has written to UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlining a series of emergency measures the Treasury could take to protect household incomes during the Coronavirus crisis.

The charity is backing a temporary suspension of utility bills, such as energy costs and a boost to social security payments like Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay.

It also wants to see the principle of a three-month mortgage holiday extended to other forms of debt, like credit cards and a freeze on interest rates to be charged onto overdrafts.

The charity is also backing proposals from its sister organisation in England and Wales for a ‘Crisis Minimum Income’ of £180 per week.

Image source, Getty Images

Age Scotland has urged all supermarkets to support pensioners and disabled shoppers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Asda and Tesco stores across the country will join Sainsbury's and Iceland to set aside the first hour of opening exclusively for older and more vulnerable shoppers.

Age Scotland welcomed the initiative and urged others to follow their example.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: "We have received a number of calls from older people worried about getting out to the shops because of the risk of infection, not being able to get the basic food that they need when they do get there, and the non-availability of home delivery slots. "In one case the son of a 93-year-old woman who lives alone in Fort William was trying to book a Tesco delivery slot for his mother's weekly shop but couldn't get an available slot for three weeks, by which time his mother would have run out of essential supplies."

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, which was due to be held at the end of May, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation.

Festival Director Noel Jordan said he wanted to ensure the cancellation did not mean financial hardship for the small arts organisations the festival works with.

He said it would honour the contracts of performers who were confirmed to work at the festival.

The first minister earlier reminded us of the group of people who should take "particular care to minimise their social contact":

• People over the age of 70
• Other adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccine (such as those with chronic diseases)
• Pregnant women

Tory MSP Maurice Corry seeks a commitment to prioritise testing for frontline NHS staff and Ms Sturgeon confirms this is the case.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says there will need to be consideration of the use of rehabilitation beds for drug users amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The first minister welcomes questions like these being raised as it will help the government to respond to the myriad of concerns.

Independent MSP Mark McDonald says some business interruption insurance policies do not cover coronavirus. Ms Sturgeon asks the member to pass on details of the specific case he has mentioned, adding that Covid-19 is a notifiable disease which will affect many insurance claims.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle says there are reports of army units setting up in Strathclyde Park. The army is often there to provide support when we need it, replies the first minister, who adds it is important for all the resources we have to be appropriately deployed.

SNP MSP Alex Neil asks about the prime minister's comments about the imminent arrival of testing for those who are immune to the virus.

The first minister says key workers will be getting tested to make sure they are not isolating unnecessarily

Discussions are ongoing about new forms of tests, including the potential for dipstick testing, she adds.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie raises the issue of mental health conditions being exacerbated by this crisis and funding for Breathing Space.

The first minister says Breathing Space can contact them about support and again points to the £350m announced yesterday.

She adds the government is doing everything it can to support these vital organisations.

Geen MSP Ross Greer says NHS Lothian staff have been told they won't be tested if they stay at home for seven days after symptoms.

He calls for news of the new testing regime to be relayed to NHS staff who are panicking about this.

We will ensure that all NHS staff know what the testing will be, replies the first minister.

The first minister says the government is working at pace to put this in place and it is the "absolute priority".

SNP MSP John Mason ask about concerns about closure of shelters for the homeless and asks what support is being given to these people.

The first minister says the health and social care partnership and the third sector have made extra accommodation available for rough sleepers and for those in temporary accommodation so they can self-isolate.

She says the use of hotels to help the homeless is being looked at too.

The first minister points to the Welfare and Wellbeing Package of £350m announced yesterday.