Masks 'should be worn outdoors' in Scotland to stop spread of new virus strain, experts say

Jeane Freeman outlined the timetable as she confirmed another 2,160 positive infections and 61 deaths in a single day. Freeman said tests will be offered for home carers without symptoms from Monday next week, ahead of an earlier March timescale.

Police Scotland building in Govan have tested positive for coronavirus. Contact tracing is currently being carried out by test and protect at the Helen Street branch in Glasgow, with close contacts already being asked to self-isolate.It is unclear how many members of staff have tested positive for the virus.

John Lewis is the first major retailer in Scotland to suspend its click and collect services amid a shopping crackdown. The high street giant said it was responding to a "clear change in tone and emphasis" from the government as millions are urged to stay at home.

Covid-19 vaccine has been hit by an outbreak of the virus.Experts have warned it showed that the shot was not enough to bring the pandemic to an end on its own.Groups representing families said they knew of other homes where residents had been treated but later developed symptoms.Abercorn Care Home in Hamilton received the Pfizer vaccine on December 14.That vaccine, the first in the UK to be given a safety licence, is most effective after two doses, the pharma firm says.Annie Innes, 90, who

Kate Forbes, the Scottish government finance secretary, called out the Chancellor for committing no new funds to deal with the latest lockdown as the Treasury trumpeted emergency support for businesses. Sunak laid out plans for an extra £4.6 billion in business support on Tuesday including £375 million for the Scottish government to distribute.

In a series of tweets today, Ms Sturgeon said: "The rapid increase in Covid cases, driven by the new variant, is of very serious concern. The steep increases & severe NHS pressure being experienced in other parts of the UK is a sign of what may lie ahead.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that 42.8% of positive tests processed for Scotland are now thought to be the fast-spreading form of coronavirus, first detected earlier this month.

fast-spreading form of coronavirus, first detected earlier this month.In a statement at Holyrood, she said: "This new strain appears to be fast becoming the dominant one circulating in Scotland - and that is obviously a cause for real concern, given that it is thought to be significantly more transmissible."As I indicated before Christmas, the severity of this challenge means we can't rule out the need for restrictions that are even tighter than those in the current level 4."Sturgeon spoke after

snow and ice later today, say forecasters. The Met Office has issued a snow and ice yellow weather warning for most parts of the country including the Lothians, Strathclyde, Grampian, Tayside and Fife.

Covid have been recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours.

Storm Bella will bring huge gales and heavy rain to the west of Scotland. Scots can expect winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal areas and heavy downpours are also due across the country.

weather has been dubbed Storm Bella, and the beast is set to arrive in Scotland on Boxing Day.Strong winds and heavy rain is forecast after Christmas and the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the west of Scotland.The alert warns that persistent rainfall is likely to result in localised flooding of roads and properties and hazardous driving conditions.The warning area covers the the north-west of Glasgow, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Highlands, Argyll and Bute and West

manhunt has been launched for two masked thugs who stole hundreds of pounds from a Scots petrol station after holding it up with a weapon. The 'terrifying' early morning raid happened at the Jet filling station in Bothwell Street, Dunfermline, around 4.40am on Monday December 21.

new strain, which is causing concern due to its infectiousness, is much more widespread currently in London and the south east of England.However, it is also present in Scotland and Nicola Sturgeon has announced sweeping preventative measures to stop it spreading further.Dr Smith told the daily media briefing he had been in contact with Public Health Scotland, adding: “They were able to tell me that the current figure for Scotland is 18 cases who meet this case definition.