Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs on the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in an address to Holyrood later today.
The First Minister is expected to address a range of issues around the health crisis as infections rates remain high across the country.
Sturgeon yesterday indicated that there are signs that the recent spike in infections is now beginning to slow.
The SNP leader will deliver her speech on the state of the pandemic from around 2.20pm this afternoon - just 24 hours before MSPs are expected to vote on the so-called vaccine passport plans.
Here are four things that we expect Nicola Sturgeon to address later today.
High case numbers
Infection rates across Scotland remain at record high levels at any point of the pandemic, according to the latest figures.
The Scottish Government yesterday recorded 5,692 cases over the last 24-hour period, which is the first time that the daily figure has been below 6,000 since last Monday.
And this is having an impact on hospital and ICU admissions, which are also continuing to rise as a result.
Currently 805 people are in Scotland’s hospitals with Covid, while 77 patients are receiving intensive care after testing positive for the virus.
Vaccine passports
Nicola Sturgeon last week announced plans for a so-called vaccine passport, which could see Scots having to show their vaccination status to enter venues such as nightclubs and football stadiums.
The First Minister hopes that the proposal will help slow the spread of the virus as the country prepares for the winter months.
It is also hoped that new lockdowns could be prevented by the policy.
Scottish Labour has already indicated its opposition to plans while the Liberal Democrats are also expected to vote down idea in Parliament.
It is expected that Nicola Sturgeon will say more about vaccine passports in her address today ahead of MSPs voting on the proposals tomorrow.
Booster jabs
The Scottish Government previously indicated that it hopes to rollout booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine from this month.
Interim guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in June revealed a list of people that should be given priority for a potential third dose of the vaccine.
It included over 70s, health and care workers, older care home residents and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
But health officials are still waiting on more data on the effectiveness and benefits of a third vaccine ahead of the winter months.
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News earlier today that he is “very confident” that new advice from the JCVI will come through in the “next few days”.
Vaccines for younger Scots
Last week it was announced that the JCVI advised against giving 12 to 15-year-old Scots the coronavirus vaccine.
The Scottish Government previously stated that it was “ready to go” with the Covid vaccination programme for younger teens ahead of the expert decision.
Ministers across the UK then asked chief medical officers to look at whether offering younger teens tipped the balance against infection after the JCVI said the government should consider wider issues, including disruption to schools.
The chief medical officers of the four UK nations have been asked for their views, with the hope of a UK-wide policy being formed with the option of overruling the watchdog.
Health Minister Humza Yousaf is hoping that a decision on this will be made “as soon as possible.”
It is possible that Holyrood will be given an update on the talks later today.
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