John Swinney has announced that pupils in Scotland will likely return to school in Scotland full-time in a shocking u-turn announced live from the parliament today.
The Deputy First Minister also announced plans to scrap physical distancing between pupils, if the virus continues to be suppressed.
Mr Swinney was previously expected to take a blended-learning approach to schools returning in which pupils would return to school for only 50 percent of the time.
However, the plan came under-fire from opposition parties and parents for being unrealistic.
Edinburgh City Council announced that under the social distancing guidelines set out by the Scottish Government they would only be able to send pupils back for 33 percent of the time.
Talking live from the parliament John Swinney announced that due to "significant progress" pupils would likely be able to return "full-time in August."
John Swinney said: "We want Scotland's children back in school full-time as soon as possible and as soon as it is safe to do so
"We did not want to see blended learning implemented for a moment longer than was necessary
"Now thankfully the picture looks more positive... we have seen Scotland make significant progress."
He said that because of the sustained "downward trend" in COVID-19 in Scotland it was likely that pupils would be able to return to education "full-time" in August.
In order for the schools to be re-opened in full "infection rates" must be at a low level.
He said: "If we stay on track, if we all continue to do what is right, and if we can further suppress this terrible virus, the Government believes that we should prepare for children to be able to return to school full-time in August.
"I must stress, this is the aim that the Government is now working towards.
"However, because it has to be achieved safely, it inevitably remains conditional and dependent upon ongoing scientific and health advice."
