With the country opening up a little more on Friday, here are five things about the state of the pandemic.

Further postponement of the UK climate summit would be better than a failed event, says an expert.

Gregor Townsend will lead the British and Irish Lions attack in South Africa - Steve Tandy, Robin McBryde and Neil Jenkins also on board.

Slavia Prague score a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to leave Arsenal's Europa League ambitions hanging in the balance.

Kylian Mbappe scores twice as Paris St-Germain win at title holders Bayern Munich in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Pupils will no longer have to follow strict two metre physical distancing rules when they return.

Phil Foden scores a late winner as Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Etihad.

The charge has been 5p since it was introduced in 2014, prompting a drastic decline in plastic bag usage.

Declan Rice believes England are an "entertaining team to watch" as he responds to critics suggesting Gareth Southgate's side are too cautious.

Che Adams nets his first goal for Scotland as they thrash Faroe Islands at Hampden and claim a first win in World Cup 2022 qualifying Group F.

People are being told to "stay local" and remain within their local council area for the following three weeks.

The leaders of Scotland's five larger political parties will take part in the BBC Scotland debate.

KPMG analysis suggests Scottish GDP could be boosted by a successful vaccine rollout and "consumer bounce".

Ryan Fraser's deft finish earns Scotland a point as they fight back in their second World Cup qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv.

Harry Kane scores one and makes another as England beat Albania to make it two wins out of two in their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign.

RMT union members are to hold strike days every Sunday until 2 May, in an overtime payments dispute.

More oil and gas wells are to be drilled in the North Sea, the UK government announces.

Boris Johnson says the UK will "feel effects" of growing case numbers in Europe amid a row over vaccines.

Slow starts. Record points conceded. A sky-high penalty count. How England's Six Nations campaign fell short on multiple fronts.

Ireland produce an outstanding display to overcome an ill-disciplined England 32-18 in the Six Nations despite Bundee Aki's red card.

Cornwall has overtaken London as the most searched for location among property buyers, data suggests.

The corporation is expanding out of the capital to "ensure every household gets value from the BBC".

Despite the supply issues, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the government expects to meet its mid-April targets.

The Scottish government says ScotRail will be taken into public ownership in March 2022.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says garden centres can also reopen in the days after the stay at home lockdown order is lifted.

The reassessment of security and defence also paves the way for the UK to increase stocks of nuclear weapons.

The Scottish first minister is to set out proposed dates for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions at Holyrood.

Secondary students were among those returning to the classroom - but initially on a part-time basis.

The UK government has said more than 1,000 civil service roles in total are to be relocated to Scotland

Vaccination of Scotland's healthcare workers has lowered the rate of infection for people they live with.

Stirling and Glasgow were the last of the 32 authorities to consider a council tax freeze in meetings on Thursday.

Max Malins will make his first start for England after being named at full-back for Saturday's Six Nations match with France at Twickenham.

Interest from potential buyers and number of properties on the market were down, the surveyors body said.

Younger secondary pupils will return from Monday but some have less than two hours in school per week.

Paris St-Germain held off a spirited Barcelona side to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 5-2 win on aggregate.

The first minister says it will be the first step out of lockdown, but urges people not to get carried away.

Tariffs on UK cheese and cashmere will also be lifted as the countries try to resolve an old trade row.

The recommendation comes from the Scottish government's Covid advisory group on education.

As part of the phased return of pupils across Scotland, children in P4-P7 will also return full time.

Under new guidance local areas will have to have a lower number of positive cases before restrictions are eased.

Wales take the Triple Crown with a bonus-point win against England after early controversy in their Six Nations match in Cardiff.

England are bowled out for 112 before India reach 99-3 on the first day of the third Test in Ahmedabad.

Scotland's national clinical director says a Covid elimination strategy would stop international travel.

Audit Scotland say preparations for the pandemic could have been better but the NHS was not overwhelmed.

Pupils in P1 to P3 and pre-school children will go back from 22 February, it has been confirmed.

England succumb to an inevitable 317-run defeat by India on the fourth day of the second Test in Chennai.

Nicola Sturgeon says the latest milestone has been reached - but that progress will slow in the coming days.

Concerns have been raised about the virus spreading if Scotland-bound travellers in England use public transport.

The chairman of the chain is calling for pubs to reopen at the same time as non-essential shops.

The Met Office says Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded the coldest night since December 1995.

George Ford, Courtney Lawes, Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola all return to England's starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy.

Amsterdam ousts London in the wake of Brexit changes, as the Bank of England warns over EU financial rules.

The country has received lower Pfizer vaccine stocks than expected due to a reduction in manufacturing capacity.

They are warning of price rises and potential shortages when new Brexit rules on imports start in April.

Everyone arriving on an overseas flight will have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days at a cost of at least £1,750.

Scotland's transport secretary says he is pressing the UK government to close a potential loophole.

With Europe's best players returning to action next week in the Champions League, BBC Sport takes a look at some of the stellar names out of contract this summer.

People arriving in England from Covid hotspots also face £10,000 fines or jail if they break the rules.

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland was in London and Cardiff as all four nations were in action this weekend, so who stood out?

Wales overcome 14-man Ireland to win a tense 2021 Six Nations opener in Cardiff.

Matt Dawson says their first win at Twickenham since 1983 was the most complete and authoritative Scotland performance he has seen in his life.

Scotland claim a first win at Twickenham since 1983 as fly-half Finn Russell orchestrates a shock Six Nations victory against England.

Brexit gives one of the UK's most important sectors the chance to define its own agenda, he said.

Rookie centres Ollie Lawrence and Cameron Redpath will start for England and Scotland respectively in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

Seafood and fishing industry bodies highlight post-Brexit export problems to MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen examined factors across the 37 worst hit countries.

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give details on the opening of schools to "some" children.

The European Commission argues the drug-maker is failing to fulfil its promises on the Covid jab.

Boris Johnson says most people in Scotland are focused on defeating Covid rather than another referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon says she is concerned the UK's travel restrictions will not go far enough.

The boss of Scotland's Railways says "difficult decisions" have to be made to save taxpayer money.

The Scottish government wants to keep Scotland involved with the EU's education programme.

The number people looking for work decreased by about 1,000 between September and November.

Chelsea sack manager Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge, with former Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel expected to replace him.

A pilot programme for 24/7 vaccinations is among options being considered by the Scottish government.

Vaccination appointments for over-70s in Scotland will arrive on Monday as planned - but in white envelopes.

In-form uncapped duo Paolo Odogwu and Harry Randall are named in England's squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.

Head coach Gregor Townsend says being a former team-mate of Cameron Redpath's dad Bryan was not a factor in the Bath centre electing to play for Scotland over England.

It comes as industry workers warn their livelihoods are at risk due to Brexit border problems.

The first minister says her statement to MSPs will concern the duration of Scotland's restrictions.

Grants of £1,500 are being made available but those in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit, are not eligible.

Soldiers from the Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are involved in the effort.

Scotland's health secretary says 400,000 jabs could be administered every week by the end of February.

Some restrictions have been tightened amid concerns the "stay at home" message has not had the same impact.

Scotland's first minister says the current restrictions are "very unlikely" to be lifted at the end of the month.

About 560,000 people will have been vaccinated by the beginning of next month, the health secretary says.

The lender says it expects "downward pressure on house prices" in 2021 following annual rise of 6% last year.

Research indicates that footfall fell last month by more than 50% as lockdown restrictions took hold.

Mainland Scotland faces tougher restrictions from midnight, and schools will remain closed until February.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine programme is being rolled out less than a week after it became the second approved in the UK.

Can England's defensive dilemma be solved? Who plays in goal? And can they beat the best when it matters? Phil McNulty looks the questions facing Gareth Southgate in 2021.

Officials continue to thrash out final details, after weeks of argument over fishing and business rules.

Scottish ministers want drivers moving perishable goods such as seafood to be prioritised as France eases its travel ban.

Nicola Sturgeon warns that the current top level of restrictions may need to be tightened further.

Lionel Messi scores his 644th goal for Barcelona during his side's win over Real Valladolid to break Pele's record of the most goals for one club.

The deputy first minister says the prevalence of the virus is much lower than other parts of the UK.

Officers in Scotland "will act" if they believe there is a "flagrant" breach of travel restrictions.

The health secretary was speaking as three council areas prepare to move to a tougher level of restrictions.

The PM and the EU Commission head speak again by phone, and acknowledge differences remain.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak extends the furlough scheme for one month until the end of April 2021.

The Bank of England says trying to predict economic progress is hampered by a lack of a Brexit deal.

US trade chief Robert Lighthizer says he is working with Liz Truss on a deal to reduce trade tariffs.

"Just because you can do something doesn't mean it's sensible in any way," Prof Chris Whitty warns.

An airfield could be used as a lorry park in the event of post-Brexit delays at Cairnryan.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian will all move up to level three of the country's tiered system.

Scientists will keep a close eye on this variant to see if it is a better spreader than others.

All 32 local authority areas in the country will be assessed by politicians and public health officials.

Ireland and Scotland will face each other in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Annie Innes, 90, from South Lanarkshire, is the first person to be be vaccinated in a care home.

Liverpool face RB Leipzig, Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid and Manchester City play Borussia Monchengladbach in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Nicola Sturgeon says Scots planning to meet up at Christmas should cut down on "unnecessary contacts" now.

Boris Johnson urges Brussels to make a "big change" as the deadline set by the two sides approaches.

Non-essential shops across much of western Scotland have reopened for the first time in three weeks.

EU pandemic rules and Brexit may restrict travellers from entering the European Union.

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi, who finished top scorer at the tournament and got the opening goal in the final, has died aged 64.

Sunday becomes the new deadline for a decision on trade talks, after the PM and EU chief meet in Brussels.

A new report identifies that UK and foreign travel was the trigger for the second wave of the pandemic.

Details of a further £185m of support for Scottish firms hit by Covid-19 restrictions are announced.

The first people to be offered the coronavirus vaccine begin receiving their jabs.

England will face Poland while Wales meet Belgium as the qualifying draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is made.

The UK says it is still working for a deal, but the EU's mood is described as "gloomy".

Nicola Sturgeon says 11 councils in west and central Scotland will come out of the highest tier of restrictions.

Patient care could be put at risk if an agreement is not made before the 31 December departure date.

Owen Farrell finally finds his kicking boots to land a sudden-death penalty to subdue a stand-in France and win the Autumn Nations Cup at Twickenham.

The UK warns chances of a breakthrough are "receding", as it negotiates with the EU over business rules.

The first batches of the vaccine, which arrive in Scotland on Tuesday, will be given to health staff.

The country's education secretary confirms that the Christmas holiday dates will not change.

People in Scotland could start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine from next Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon says.

Ministers will continue to "look carefully" at Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, but both will remain in level two.

Nicola Sturgeon says the one-off cash payment is to thank health staff for their "extraordinary service".

Two new mass testing programmes are under way in a bid to drive down infection rates before Christmas.

Government guidance says the bubbles should contain a maximum of eight people over the age of 11.

People can form a "Christmas bubble" and mix in homes and outdoors between 23 and 27 December.

Erling Braut Haaland just cannot stop scoring. Is the Norway and Borussia Dortmund striker destined to dominate world football?

Nicola Sturgeon says there could be a "careful" easing at Christmas - but does not expect a relaxation at new year.

Drop plans to rewrite withdrawal agreement by end of month or risk scuppering trade deal, UK is told.