Scots have been given a glimmer of hope ahead of the festive season when it comes to tough Covid restrictions.
Scotland's National Clinical Director Jason Leitch said there could be some relaxation of household restrictions at Christmas.
However, he warned that this would depend driving coronavirus infections downs in the coming weeks.
The health expert made the comments at today's coronavirus daily briefing as the First Minister was asked whether it was safe for pupils to finish for the holidays around the same date.
Nicola Sturgeon said: "Presumably you're talking about people visiting family members or whatever but we will obviously have guidance in place, generally, which we have just now terms of household interaction, we're asking people not to do it.
"If that has changed for Christmas, which we all hope to some extent it will have a will, although we can't guarantee that, then we will give people, clear guidance."
Mr Leitch added that "the big difference" between between school pupils and college students is that they are typically in one household.
He said: "In the main they're going back over Christmas, to where they've been over weekends and in the evenings previously, so that doesn't worry us as much as further and higher education."
He continued that he's hopeful household restrictions could "have some kind of relaxation" over Christmas.
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"I'm also hopeful with the First Minister that, if we drive the number s down over the next, what's know six or seven weeks, then the household restrictions will be able to have some kind of relaxation over that period.
"So, that again will have to be taken into account about those exit days from schools," he added.
