Nicola Sturgeon confirms new lockdown levels for Scotland as some areas face tougher restrictions

referendum. Before the first speeches, Sturgeon said she has "never been so certain" Scotland will achieve independence.

First Minister spoke ahead of her party’s annual conference today by telling members she has “never been so certain” the country will achieve independence.Her party is riding high in opinion polls and is widely tipped to win a majority of MSPs at next year's Holyrood election.That could set off a constitutional showdown with Westminster as the SNP uses its mandate to demand an IndyRef2 takes place.While Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not allow another referendum on

post-Brexit paperwork for fish products.

vote on the constitution. With the Nationalists currently soaring in the polls it means Boris Johnson could face huge pressure to allow an IndyRef2 to take place in the coming years - despite repeatedly saying he would not.

infections, with 1,125 people currently in hospital and 90 being treated in intensive care for Covid-19. It comes as the four UK nations agreed a plan for the festive period.Christmas gatherings will be set at eight people over 12 years old in Scotland - and households should stay two metres apart indoors, according to new official guidance.

five-tier system on Tuesday morning but the First Minister told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament this will be the only change. The majority of Scots remain in the first of three weeks of strict measures that have closed all non-essential shops and prevented travel to other areas.Sturgeon told MSPs that 41 deaths and 771 positive tests have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

pubs and restaurantsBut a week after sending the hint, the Scottish Government said public health advisers were concerned.It means only East Lothian drops to level 2 from 6am today.

coronavirus deaths recorded overnight in Scotland, the Scottish Government confirmed today. In the last 24 hours, there has been 949 fresh infections were recorded in the same time period.

First Minister spoke out in her daily briefing one day after an ambitions timetable raised hopes a million Scots could be vaccinated by January. Sturgeon was highlighting level 4 lockdown restrictions in Glasgow - where she lives - and 10 other neighbouring council areas today.

coronavirus  death toll has hit 3,459, the  Scottish Government  confirmed today.

travel ban will be introduced for millions of Scots as part of the fight against coronavirus.People living in level 3 and 4 areas - the tiers with the most stringent restrictions - must not travel outside their own council area except for "certain essential purposes."Sturgeon also said there must not be any "non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK."Under the current five-tier system, restrictions on travelling between local authority areas amount to advice only.For weeks,

Nicola Sturgeon today confirmed 11 councils including Glasgow will go from level three to level four at the end of the week.It means only essential shops can open, while new restrictions will be imposed on hospitality and leisure.The level four rules will be imposed in Glasgow city, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.Sturgeon, at the Scottish Parliament, said she

level two rules on November 24.The change depends on continued progress, but it was seen as a positive sign while Glasgow and 10 other councils were ordered into the highest level four lockdown.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the plan at the Scottish Parliament as part of the government's weekly review of the five-tier system.She said: "I am pleased to report that East Lothian and Midlothian have both seen a marked decline in infection rates – prevalence in these areas is significantly

Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce the latest update on Scotland's five-tier coronavirus lockdown system today.The First Minister will make a speech to parliament on Tuesday afternoon - with millions likely to be placed under the toughest restrictions.She yesterday warned that areas of the western central belt could be moved to level 4 after cases have remained at a "stubbornly high level".In leaked documents, up to twelve local authority areas could be plunged under stricter lockdown measures

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to keep schools open in the west of Scotland even in council areas placed at level four.The First Minister today gave her strongest indication yet that several local authorities will this week be moved into the Government's highest level of lockdown - meaning thousands of non-essential businesses will be forced to close.But both primary and high schools will stay open to ensure youngsters can still attend class.It comes as the country's biggest teaching union, the EIS,

coronavirus vaccine could be available in Scotland, she hopes people will start receiving jabs before the end of 2020 or "certainly very early next year". Her comments at the Scottish Parliament came after drugs manufacturer Pfizer revealed earlier in the week that its Covid-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing the virus.

coronavirus in Scotland in the past 24 hours, the Scottish Government has confirmed. The latest figures show there were 1,212 new Covid-19 cases recorded overnight, bringing the total number of positive cases to 77,660 since the pandemic began.

Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament later today on lockdown levels across the country.The First Minister and her Cabinet will this morning sign off the latest set of restrictions for all 32 local authority areas before they are announced at Holyrood this afternoon.Sturgeon warned Scots yesterday it was "unlikely" there will be an easing of restrictions in any part of the country - but some council areas could see them tightened.A five-tier framework to set local

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is “highly unlikely” she will tomorrow announce a significant easing of covid restrictions for any part of the country.She said Scotland is in a “far better” position than it was, but noted there still needed to be a big decline in cases.However, she did not rule out tougher restrictions for some areas.The Scottish Government recently announced a five-tier system of restrictions for the country’s local authority areas.The first weekly review will be announced in