Nicola Sturgeon has postponed the scrapping of face masks in Scotland planned for next week.
Rising covid cases numbers prompted the move, with the First Minister insisting it's the right decision.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament today she explained: "Given the current spike in case numbers, we consider it prudent to retain this requirement in regulation for a further short period.
"I know this will be disappointing for businesses and service providers such as day care services."
Ms Sturgeon had been widely expected to remove the legal requirement for face coverings and replace it with guidance.
However, a huge surge in new recorded cases over the last three weeks from an average of 6,900 a day rising to 12,000 is giving cause for concern.
Follow Nicola Sturgeon’s covid statement as it happens today here
She pointed out: "Ensuring continued widespread use of face coverings will provide some additional protection - particularly for the most vulnerable - at a time when the risk of infection is very high, and it may help us get over this spike more quickly.
"We will review it again in two weeks - before Easter recess - and our expectation now is that this regulation will convert to guidance in early April."
Ms Sturgeon did however confirm that remaining legal measures will be replaced with appropriate guidance from Monday, March 21.
She went on: "That means on Monday the requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details will end, and so too will the requirement for businesses, places of worship and service providers to have regard to Scottish Government guidance on covid, and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance.
"The exception relates to the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport, and in certain indoor settings."
