COVID-19: Phased return of schools in Scotland to begin on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon announces

The phased return of pupils to classrooms in Scotland will begin on Monday, the first minister has confirmed. Nicola Sturgeon revealed the news in a statement to the Scottish parliament, as she said the country's lockdown would continue until 'at least' the beginning of March and 'possibly for a further period beyond that'. She told MSPs the shutdown was working - with fewer COVID-19 patients in hospital and intensive care - but cautioned that 'even a slight' easing of restrictions could see cases 'start rising rapidly again'.