Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon updates Holyrood on coronavirus pandemic regulations and says there will be no further changes

  • Rules had been eased in Scotland over the past few weeks, but mask wearing remains mandatory on public transport, in shops and for older pupils

  • The FM says that given "the relatively high levels" of the virus in younger age groups masks in high schools would continue

  • Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross questions why the Scottish government needs to "retain emergency powers indefinitely"

  • Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie and the leader of the Scottish Lib Dems, Alex Cole-Hamilton, express worries about the lack of ventilation in Scotland's classrooms

  • Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville tells MSPs that exams will go ahead as planned but because of the pandemic there will be a more relaxed approach to grading

  • There are currently 1,177 people in hospital who have tested positive for coronavirus with 29 of those in ICU. That is down by four on Monday's figure

Live Reporting

BBC Scotland News

  1. FM highlights decline in case numbers

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    The first minister tells the chamber the decline in cases in the first three weeks of January is now reflected in a fall in the number of people being admitted to hospital.

    In the week to 21 January, 768 patients with Covid were admitted. In the following week this was down to 602.

    Hospital occupancy has also fallen. This time last week, 1,394 patients with Covid were in hospital. Today, it is 1,177.

    The number of people with Covid in intensive care has reduced too - from 49 this time last week to 42 today.

    Ms Sturgeon says these improving trends are a result of booster vaccination, the proportionate measures introduced in December, and the willingness of the public to adapt behaviour to stem transmission.

  2. No change to current Covid restrictions

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    Mask wearing will continue for now, the FM has said

    After recapping the day's Covid statistics, Nicola Sturgeon goes on to say the remaining baseline levels of Covid measures will remain in place for now, having been considered by the cabinet this morning.

    The measures will be reviewed again in three weeks.

  3. The Covid update is next

    Nicola Sturgeon will shortly get to her feet and update parliament on the Covid restrictions.

    Her statement comes after further easing of the Covid rules came into effect in Scotland.

    Guidance urging people to work from home wherever possible has been relaxed in favour of a "hybrid" system of office and remote working.

    Restrictions on large outdoor events came to an end on 17 January, then rules on indoor events and venues, including the need for table service in hospitality premises, were lifted on 24 January.

  4. Latest Covid vaccination figures published

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    The daily Scottish government data also provides an update on the national vaccination programme.

    The latest figures confirm:

    • 4,416,119 people have received their first dose of a Covid vaccination
    • 4,129,347 have received their second dose
    • And 3,299,180 have received a third dose or booster

  5. More than 7,500 Covid cases and 30 further deaths

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    A further 7,565 Covid cases were confirmed on Monday, according to the latest Scottish government statistics.

    The daily figures also reveal 30 new deaths have been reported following a positive test.

    Meanwhile, the number in intensive care has fallen by four to 29.

    And a total of 1,177 people are in hospital - down 29 on Sunday - with recently confirmed Covid.

  6. Topical questions, FM's update and exams statement

    Holyrood's afternoon begins with topical questions on the storms and free bus travel for under 22s.

    Tory MSP Graham Simpson asks the Scottish government to respond to reports of problems the public are facing when applying for free bus travel, which has just been extended to cover everyone under 22.

    Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba asks the Scottish government what action it will take to support those communities affected by Storm Malik and Storm Corrie, including addressing the impact on the provision of services such as public transport.

    This wooded area outside of Edzell has been devastatedGetty Images

    This wooded area outside of Edzell in Angus has been devastated

    After the first minister's Covid update at about 15:00 there will be an SQA exams statement, with an update on plans for this year's exam diet.

    You can watch that statement with us here on this live page.

  7. What can we expect from the FM's update?

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    Will we learn any more about the Scottish government's plans for masks in the classroom?

    More calls for the end of mask-wearing in Scotland's schools are likely to feature on opposition MSPs' agenda today, and perhaps the FM will address them.

    Infections expert Dr Christine Tait-Burkard has said she believed they could go as early as next month - and the rules on face coverings for the general public may be lifted "relatively soon thereafter".

  8. Welcome

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    Nicola Sturgeon will get to her feet in Holyrood at around 2.20pm this afternoon.

    Welcome to our live coverage of the first minister's Covid update on Tuesday 1 February 2022.

    Nicola Sturgeon will tell MSPs the latest developments in the pandemic from around Scotland.

    We will bring you the latest developments and analysis here, and you can watch the session by clicking on one of the tabs above.