Face masks will remain in Scotland's classrooms for at least another week.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed this afternoon it's too early to lift the rule forcing secondary school pupils to cover up in lessons, common areas, corridors and school transport.
But she admitted that if the covid omicron variant continues to run out of steam, change might not be far away.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, the First Minister did however confirm that some additional restrictions imposed on schools to stem the spread of the virus before Christmas will be eased.
She explained: "I can confirm that in light of its recommendations, revised guidance is being published today, which effectively returns schools and early years settings to the situation before the emergence of omicron.
"The revised guidance eases requirements for bubbles or groupings within schools, and is less restrictive in its advice on visitors to
school and school trips."
Ms Sturgeon said the face mask rule will considered again next Tuesday, February 8, but in the meantime, she explained: "The sub-group also considered the issue of face coverings.
"It concluded that although we may be close to the time when face coverings no longer need to be worn in the class room assuming current trends continue, we have not yet reached that stage.
"No-one wants young people to have to wear face coverings in the class room for a moment longer than necessary. But given the current uncertainty about infection trends in the immediate future, and the relatively high levels of covid in the younger age groups, continued caution is prudent at this stage."
