Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants independence 'as soon as possible', but admitted the coronavirus crisis is her primary focus right now.
Speaking at today's daily media briefing, the First Minister said she looked forward to 'normality' resuming, which will, in turn, lead to the country discussing the future of Scotland once again.
It was revealed on Friday that Scotland's economy may not recover from the current crisis until 2023.
When asked if Scotland should be an independent country by that point, Ms Sturgeon replied: “Everyone knows my view on independence. I want Scotland to be an independent country, I think that brings lots of benefits.
READ MORE: Majority of Scots want second Scottish independence referendum in next five years, poll finds
"But that’s not my focus right now. My focus is tackling coronavirus, making sure we are tackling the health implications of the virus by suppressing it and stopping it running out of control again, and doing everything we can to support the economy.
"For the moment that is going to continue to be my focus, and to encourage people to come together and do the right thing."
She added: "I hope sooner rather than later we’ll all get back into much more normality where the constitutional issues and the political debates we rightly have as part of a healthy, vibrant democracy will come to the fore again.
"But I’m going to keep my focus for now on the immediate challenges that lie ahead for the country. That’s my duty as First Minister for all the country."
She admitted that she wanted to see the country become independent as soon as possible, but said it was not solely up to her.
“I hope Scotland will be an independent country as soon as possible. But whether or not Scotland is an independent country is down to not just me, it’s down to the majority of the people of Scotland," she said.
READ MORE: Letters: This is no time to be thinking of indyref2
A new poll from Ipsos MORI for BBC Scotland found last week that 63% of people want another referendum, 34% within the next two years, 19% in two to five years, and 10% after the next five years.
More than a third (34%) are against a fresh vote.
Young people are more likely to support a second referendum in the next two years, with 46% backing a vote soon compared to 36% of those aged 35-54 and 22% of those aged 55 and over.
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