Using World Health Organization measures, it is possible to chart Scotland's progress in tackling Covid-19.

But it is too soon to say when social distancing rules will be relaxed, the health secretary says.

People with mild or moderate learning disabilities will now also be offered the jab in the next priority group.

Schools across the country have been closed to the vast majority of pupils since December.

First evidence from the UK's vaccine programme shows a reduction in hospital admissions in Scotland.

Deaths among the oldest age group are falling, but is this "hard evidence" the vaccine is working?

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

There is now "hard evidence" that the vaccine programme is starting to reduce the number of deaths.

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.

The first minister says she is "very keen" to see a return to more normal schooling for some pupils.

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 Scottish government says it has received 77,000 applications so far, but 173,000 children are believed eligible.

Industry figures suggest exports fell by £1.1bn last year as Covid and a 25% tariff in the US hit distillers hard.

Students have not been able to get enough clinical experience because of Covid restrictions.

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

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.

Parts of Scotland are affected by heavy snowfall as temperature hits 11-year low.

A survey suggests firms are hopeful of a solid economic recovery once Covid restrictions are lifted.

DUP leader Arlene Foster accuses the British government of "sleepwalking" into NI's Brexit arrangements.

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

The oil giant reported a net loss of £16bn for 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused demand to slump.

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

Multiple factors will determine when an easing of restrictions comes, from vaccine effectiveness to hospital admissions rates.

Figures suggest exports of single malt have fallen by a third since a 25% tariff was imposed in 2019.

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

Nicola Sturgeon says the NHS is "ahead of schedule" in rolling out vaccines to the over-80s by Friday's deadline.

Nicola Sturgeon says the "vast majority" over-80s will have the first dose by the start of next week.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says she wants to provide "stability and certainty" for people and businesses.

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 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.

The UK's nations and regions are being treated as if they were "invisible", the former PM warns.

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.

Some elderly Scots are anxious as they wait for the jab despite assurances the vaccine programme is on track.

Modelling suggests that lockdown has "stabilised" the spread of new cases in Scotland.

The youngest and oldest pupils, plus those with additional support needs will be among the first to return to classrooms.

Mainland Scotland and some islands to remain under toughest coronavirus rules until at least mid-February.

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 education secretary says it will be a challenge for schools to reopen as normal by 1st February.

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.

Restrictions around takeaway food and click-and-collect services in Scotland are to be toughened.

The increasing number of staff off work could prevent the NHS Louisa Jordan opening to Covid patients.

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.

Teaching for the vast majority of students will be online only until at least the end of February.

Seventeen million doses have been ordered by the UK and are expected to arrive in spring.

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

The BMA in Scotland says it is concerned about the potential impact of delaying the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Strict new Covid-19 restrictions come into force in Scotland, prohibiting people from leaving their homes.

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.

The government insists borders systems will cope when changes to trade and travel kick in at 11pm.

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

Dozens of countries, alarmed by a new coronavirus variant, have suspended travel links with the UK.

Similar new variants of the coronavirus may be circulating undetected around the world, scientists say.

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

Boris Johnson says his position is "unchanged", as time for the UK and EU to reach a deal runs short.

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.

In a key policy speech, the Labour leader set out plans for the "boldest devolution project in a generation".

With a decision expected before Christmas, UK sources say it is increasingly likely there will be no deal.

Retail and hospitality industry leaders say more financial help is needed as they prepare for three weeks of tough restrictions.

Michel Barnier says it is now "the moment of truth", while Boris Johnson warns of "difficult" talks.

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.

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.

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

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

A senior Conservative says deploying gunboats to patrol UK waters after 31 December is "undignified".

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

Boris Johnson says negotiations with the EU will continue, but are "not yet there at all".

The EU's contingency plans for "no deal" include measures to ensure smooth air and road travel.

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.

All 11 council areas currently under level four restrictions are to be downgraded to level three on Friday.

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

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

The lateral flow tests will be trialled among visitors to 14 care homes in five local authority areas.

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

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".

Scientists spell out measures to minimise coronavirus infection risk when rules are relaxed at Christmas.

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

An increase in the money coming to Scotland but uncertainty about costs and pay awards.

Covid hotspots are still emerging across Scotland, but the number of daily deaths is declining.

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

Nicola Sturgeon says the existing restrictions in place across Scotland are "having an impact" on the virus.

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

The level four rules have closed shops and many other businesses across much of central Scotland.

Who will be vaccinated first and when will that be? BBC Scotland takes a look at the government's vaccination plans.

It is hoped up to one million people could get the jab by the end of January if the vaccines win safety approval.

Nicola Sturgeon warns that easing of restrictions over Christmas could cause a spike of cases in January.

The deputy first minister says prioritising schools is "absolutely central" to the wellbeing of children.

People living in 20 council areas will be breaking the law from Friday if they travel to another local authority for non-essential reasons.

The warning by an industry body comes as new figures show another slump in high street sales last month.

No 10 does not deny reports the PM made the comment in a meeting with Tory MPs.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says tougher restrictions in the west of Scotland are "likely" but "not inevitable".

The labs will use technology to speed up the process so results come faster, the government says.

People are no longer allowed to drink alcohol on trains or at stations as part of measures to stem Covid.

Councils in the west of Scotland are told it is possible they may be placed under the highest level of restrictions.

National 5 exams in Scotland have already been cancelled for 2021 but Highers are currently scheduled to go ahead.

Fife, Angus and Perth and Kinross will be moved from level two to level three of Scotland's five-tier system.

The vaccine is a "significant step" forward for getting life back to normal, but challenges remain.

The first minister does not expect any areas to move to a lower level when restrictions are reviewed on Tuesday.

Tackling greenhouse gas emissions will need the biggest change since swapping horses for tractors, a report says.

Alister Jack suggests there should not be a referendum on Scottish independence for "25 or 40 years".

Campaigners and opposition MSPs react to the first minister's comments that travel may be restricted in law.

Tough restrictions on household visits and hospitality are starting to have an effect", the first minister says.

The first minister says she may enforce travel restrictions with fines when Covid rules are reviewed.

The prime minister says the furlough scheme will "continue to be available wherever it is needed".

Infection levels in England are about four times higher than the government's worst-case winter plan.

Pupils in S4 to S6 and their teachers will have to wear face coverings in classrooms in level 3 and 4 areas.

Nicola Sturgeon is to announce the levels of restrictions that will be placed on each council area.

Licensed premises in many areas of Scotland will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from next week.

John Swinney says there is a "realistic possibility" students will be asked to stay away from their families.

Job vacancies fail to return to pre-pandemic levels in many towns, according to new research.

The new system for setting Covid restrictions in Scotland adds two levels to the three tiers used in England.

The idea of people in Scotland having a normal Christmas in 2020 is "fiction", the national clinical director says.

As admissions rise dramatically at one Scottish hospital, staff are dreading the potential toll of the second wave.

The Scottish government says there have been capacity issues, but the UK government says this is "categorically untrue".

People must now cover their face in workplace canteens - but no longer need to if they are getting married.

Nicola Sturgeon says the expiry of existing rules on 26 October will not signal a return to complete normality.

Doctors have called for the testing programme to be "re-examined" amid fears over the impact of delays on the NHS.

The Scottish government says the figures do not reflect the "full impact" of Covid-19 on employment.

An alert system aligned as" closely as possible" to other parts of the UK will be introduced in Scotland.

The first minister draws the definition of cafes "very tightly" to reduce the number of places people can meet.

Police Scotland says "highly visible" patrols will ensure pubs and restaurants close at 18:00.

Industry leaders warn new Covid restrictions could sound the "death knell" for many pubs and restaurants.

The new rules are likely to be focused on licensed premises in areas with higher levels of the virus.

Scientists warn of the "devastating" effect of Covid-19 policies, calling for a return to normal for healthy people.

The first minister will announce new restrictions on Wednesday - but says it will not be a return to full lockdown.

The first minister warns that fresh measures "may well be needed" in Scotland "in the near future".

Nicola Sturgeon says she will not hesitate to take further action in the coming weeks if it is needed.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the seven deaths are a "sharp reminder" about the dangers of Covid-19.

Figures for April to June show 851 fewer people were referred to specialists than the same time last year.

Nicola Sturgeon says allowing students to go home for Christmas is a "priority" after new guidance was published.

The first minister warned that any premises that do not comply risk being shut down completely.