Child care services in Scotland will remain open next week over what would have been the Easter school holidays.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the move in a statement this afternoon.
The provisions may be different than during term time but she assured key workers that children would be looked after throughout the holiday period.
The Easter school holidays for most children would have run from Monday, April 6 returning on Monday, April 20 - but will not run now due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference she said: "This will be a holiday period unlike any we've had in our lifetimes.
"Once again, I know how hard this is, but I also want to stress again today that these restrictions are absolutely essential."
Earlier it was confirmed 172 Scots have now died from coronavirus with the number of confirmed cases hitting 3,001 - an increase of 399 overnight.
A total of 176 patients are being treated in intensive care.
The First Minister said that media reports of Covid-19 peaking next week were not accurate, saying: "I want to be very clear, that nothing I have seen gives me any basis whatsoever for predicting that the virus will peak as early as a week's time in Scotland.
"I have to ask people to continue to stick to these measures."
