John Swinney has joked he has "no social life" as he urged Scots to get tested regularly following the emergence of the Omicron variant in Scotland.
The Deputy First Minister issued a plea to people meeting up over the Christmas period to take frequent lateral flow tests (LFTs) in order to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
Swinney 's plea came after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced earlier this week that testing would be ramped up across Scotland.
So far 10 cases of the variant, which originated in southern Africa, have been discovered north of the border.
It was revealed earlier today that the tenth case has no direct link to the previous nine which were connected to one event, the Scottish Government has said.
Authorities have said the nine cases across Lanarkshire area and Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) identified earlier in the week were connected to an event on November 20.
SNP MSP Jim Fairlie asked Swinney about people using negative LFTs as an alternative to proof of vaccination during a Covid-19 Recovery Committee hearing earlier today. The new option will become part of the certification scheme on December 6.
Fairlie said: "If you're 18, 19, 20, Christmas is coming up and you're going out with your mates you don't feel bad when that test comes up as a positive you might just chance your luck because you feel ok.
"I have a genuine concern, that was always my concern about going down this route."
Swinney replied: "I accept these points and that's why I make the plea to everybody.
"Personally I am now undertaking lateral flow test much more frequently, because of the degree of interaction I have.
"I have no social life, but I do have a lot of interaction in my work."
Professor Jason Leitch interrupted to joke: "That's nothing new."
Swinney grinned and replied: "That's nothing new but because it's of the degree of interaction I have."
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