Covid LIVE: Nicola Sturgeon says face masks will remain in place in Scotland | Covid cases rising, ONS data shows

Follow the latest news here as Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce the majority Covid restrictions in Scotland at Parliament today.

Despite Covid infections in Scotland being at their highest level since records began in Autumn 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the First Minister is expected to announce the lifting of the majority of remaining restrictions.

Legal restrictions such as the requirement to wear masks in shops and on public transport were due to end on 21 March and changed to guidance.

Laws requiring face coverings to be worn on public transport and some other settings in Scotland will not be scrapped next week as planned, Nicola Sturgeon has announced, with the First Minister saying it is “prudent” for this to remain in place given the “current spike in case numbers”.

Follow live her as Nicola Sturgeon is expected to lift final Covid restrictions in Scotland.

At the moment, businesses are legally required to take steps to reduce the spread of Covid, including physical distancing and screens.

That is also expected to end on March 21, as will the legal requirement to retain customers' contact details.

Follow this live blog for all the latest and major announcements as Nicola Sturgeon speaks to Parliament on Tuesday at around 2.20pm.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.