FACE masks could still become a requirement in public, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The First Minister says she will "strongly encourage people" to wear the face coverings in shops and is still considering whether or not to make that mandatory.

The Scottish Government is prepared to force the majority of people to wear protection in public but has not made a final decision on whether to implement the policy.

However, if it's brought in, exemptions may be made for people with conditions like asthma.

Speaking at her daily press conference, Sturgeon acknowledged that scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the masks in preventing the transmission of Covid-19 is mixed.

However, she said people should use them while shopping and in other circumstances when social distancing is not possible.

On a mandatory move, she said: "Yes, it is under consideration. I said when I announced the policy some weeks back that we would keep this under review.

"We haven't reached a final position on this but I think it is fair to say it is something that we are considering."

Adding that she would "never encourage" challenging people in shops or public places for not wearing a mask, she went on: "Right now, I am asking you to do it because we think that it is a real benefit.

"If it can help stop the transmission of this virus, it's something that is worth doing."

The First Minister went on: "If you haven't already been doing it, or if you started to do it and found it uncomfortable and haven't continued, please, please consider this very carefully because we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to reduce the risks of transmission.

"If the anecdotal evidence suggests people are not doing it, then I think we have a duty to at least consider whether we make that advice stronger, up to and including in certain circumstances making it mandatory."