DEPUTY First Minister John Swinney is set to miss Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid-19 update on Wednesday after testing positive for the disease.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown is also staying away from Holyrood having contracted the virus.

Swinney, the Covid Recovery Secretary, said that he would try to get involved with Parliamentary business if he was to feel better than he currently does.

He tweeted: “After two years of avoiding #Covid_19 I tested positive this morning. I will be self-isolating in accordance with the rules and will try to engage with @scotparl business if I feel better than I do just now.”

Brown replied: "Be safe John, and hopefully you’ll be better soon. Like you I’ve avoided it for two years until I had a positive test this morning. Thank goodness for Zoom!"

Sturgeon is set to update Parliament at 2pm on any potential changes to Covid rules as the country waits to see if she will drop requirements on wearing masks in public spaces such as public transport and shops.