The new advice for students during the coronavirus pandemic dominates today's briefing:

• Sturgeon confirms that students who are struggling can return home, but stresses it is not a decision to be made lightly
• Ms Sturgeon ran through the new guidance for students, which can be found here, external

• The FM says a "big thank you" to the majority of students who stuck to the rules and advice over the weekend

• She pledges it is "absolutely our priority" to make sure that students are able to return home for Christmas

Image source, Andrew Milligan

• The FM says discipline has to be the backstop for the minority who insist on "flagrantly breaching the rules" and putting others at risk
• NUS Scotland welcomes new guidance and the pledge that getting students home for Christmas is the priority
• The number of people in hospital or ICU with Covid-19 is rising
• Between Friday and Sunday evening, Police Scotland were called to at least 300 house parties

That's all from us today. Please take care and stay safe.

The Scottish Sun's political editor Chris Musson raises social media reports from teachers who say plans are being put in place for a "circuit breaker" October holiday when restrictive rules will be re-introduced.

Ms Sturgeon says that decision has not been taken, but "we are keeping that under review".

She added that she would be having discussions later today "with senior officials and advisers" from the Scottish government to "take stock of the situation to consider what options might be necessary".

Mr Leonard highlights scientific modelling which predicted that the virus would spread in student accommodation.

He says the failure to plan ahead was a problem early in the pandemic in relation to care homes and in August became an issue with the return of schools.

He says the government failed to anticipate, failed to plan and failed to put in place the testing infrastructure.

Now universities are making the headlines.

Mr Leonard adds: "We are really concerned that the steps that have been taken, even with the modifications last night, really do challenge, and potentially, violate the human rights of those students who have been singularly selected for special treatment.

He added that the "scapegoating of students" was not at all acceptable.

The Scottish Labour leader says there should have been a "more cautious approach" to the mass return of students with a "default position" of distance learning.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard told BBC One Scotland's Coronavirus Update programme his reaction to the first minister's briefing was one of "disappointment not anger".

Mr Leonard says: "We are seeing a situation where the Scottish government has failed to anticipate, failed to plan, failed to put in place the testing infrastructure and, frankly, failed to act on the scientific advice."

He also criticises the tone of the guidance published on Sunday, describing some of its language as "confrontational", and says it puts the blame on students.

Between Friday and Sunday evening, Police Scotland were called to at least 300 house parties.

Officers issued at least 101 fixed penalties and made 14 arrests.

Nicola Sturgeon said the figures needed to be seen in context of a population of 5.4 million people.

She told her briefing: "Let’s put it in perspective. The vast majority of people in my experience, and from the anecdotal evidence and harder evidence we get, are abiding by the rules – they have my deep appreciation for that.

“But anybody who is not, and particularly anybody who is fragrantly breaking very clear rules against house parties, should really take a look at themselves because we know that house parties are one of the risk factors that can cause this virus to spread.”

Responding to the first minister's pledge that getting students home for Christmas is a priority, Mr Crilly says: "None of us want to be locked down on our own in a tiny little room in student halls for Christmas so I think that is welcome news."

The president of NUS Scotland wishes the Scottish government had been stronger on having online remote learning as the default.

Matt Crilly says if students can make a free choice about returning home they should have the security of knowing they can access their learning back in the family home.

He argues that throughout the entire summer NUS Scotland was calling for online learning to be the default, but says that has its challenges too.

Mr Crilly points out some courses cannot be carried out with remote online learning.

He also warns that students rely on part-time work in hospitality and adds: "We're also worried students might really struggle financially to get through their studies this year".

Students can apply for hardship funds, but the student support system needs to be looked at, he insists.

Matt Crilly, the president of NUS Scotland, says the overall mood on campuses is "quite an anxious one".

"We really welcome the updated guidance from the Scottish government," he says.

He explains that the supportive approach recognises that some students are finding things incredibly difficult.

Giving them the flexibility to go home is good, he says.

"We're all in this together, we all need to supress the virus."

Gordon Chree from STV says food parcels are being handed out to students at Glasgow University and welfare checks are being made.

Mr Chree points out that some students feel they have faced a somewhat confrontational tone.

The first minister very much welcomes the steps universities are taking to support students, including moves made by Glasgow University around rent rebates and financial support.

She explains there always has to be a backstop of enforcement or discipline for the minority who insist on "flagrantly breaching the rules" and putting others at risk.

The focus and priority should be a spirit of love and solidarity and coming togetherness, she adds.

BBC Scotland's Jamie McIvor asks the first minister how concerned she is about large numbers of students potentially returning home.

He also asks if the pressures they are under will cause many to drop out completely.

Nicola Sturgeon says universities need to make sure students get the support they need.

She adds: "We don't want to see students unable to maintain their studies because of the added pressures that everybody is going through now because of the pandemic."

Ms Sturgeon says everyone needs to be mindful of preventing the virus spreading and stresses that students should, where possible, self isolate in their accommodation.

The first minister says the Scottish government is being "pragmatic" and is clear about the precautions that should be taken if students travel home, such as not using public transport.

Image source, bbc

Scotland's interim chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith says the road to recovery from the virus "will not be as straightforward as we all hoped".

He adds that there has been a renewed focus on mental health in Scotland during the pandemic.

Dr Smith says: "People across the country have been asking each other how they are feeling.

"I hope all of this means that it is ok for us to ask for help if we need it."

He adds help and advice is available on the clearyourhead , externalwebsite and says the NHS 24 mental health hub is now accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It can be reached by dialling 111.

The capacity of the Breathing Space, external telephone and web support service has also been expanded.

The first minister says this is an inherently volatile and unpredictable situation.

The first minister runs through the latest general Covid guidelines., external

As ever she ends by stressing the FACTS:

• Face coverings in enclosed spaces
• Avoid crowded places
• Clean hands and surfaces regularly
• Two metre distancing; and
• Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

The default advice is that students should stay in their student accommodation while self-isolating if at all possible, Ms Sturgeon stresses.

She adds she hopes the guidance provides help to students having to move home, as safely as possible.

The first minister says the final advice is for people who want to move permanently back to their family home, the rules still apply.

More generally the government encourages students to think about how this will impact on their in-person learning if it is being provided.

Students should also discuss their decision with their college or university.

Some students may need the help of a family friend or family member, and in that case a student may move to that household to complete their self-isolation, Ms Sturgeon explains.

The first minister cautions this is not a decision to be taken lightly.

She adds that if you have to move to the family home to self-isolate, you should avoid public transport and "crucially the other members of your new household, that's your mum, dad, brothers, sisters, of all ages will have to self-isolate for 14 days from the time you arrive home".