Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that the current Level 4 coronavirus lockdown restrictions will continue until "at least" the end of February.
The Scottish Government previously said the lockdown for Level 4 areas - mainland Scotland and some islands areas - would last until at least mid-February.
The First Minister made the announcement to MSPs in Parliament this afternoon.
She said: "The Cabinet has decided that the current lockdown, including the stay at home except for essential purposes requirement, needs to remain in place until at least the end of February."
Ms Sturgeon said that she will update Holyrood in two weeks about a possible "careful and gradual" easing of lockdown restrictions around the start of March.
And the First Minister added that if progress continues then she is "cautiously optimistic" that such a relaxation of restrictions could take place in Scotland as more and more people get the vaccine.
Follow ongoing updates from the FM's announcement on our coronavirus live blog.
