Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as cases continue to rise across Scotland

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,

Covid-19. Boris Johnson  remains symptom free but is following the instructions after being contacted by NHS Track and Trace.

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 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.

Scroll down for all the latest updates on our live blog.Deaths of coronavirus patients in Scotland have reached a six-month high after 64 were recorded in the past in 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon has said.The overall death toll – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 3,143.Speaking at the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, the First Minister said it is the highest figure since May 6.Despite this, she said stricter coronavirus

education  secretary is under pressure to cancel next year's school exams after Wales decided to scrap them in full. John Swinney  has so far only confirmed limited plans to call off National 5 exams but press ahead with Highers for Scots pupils.

Nicola Sturgeon announced today.The First Minister said the level-one zones have shown progress and have only “sporadic” cases of coronavirus.However, level-one areas including Moray and Highland will not be able to enjoy the slight return to normality until rates come down.Sturgeon revealed the new rule in her first weekly review of Scotland’s five-tier alert system.She said Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles will remain at level one but added: "From Friday, residents of those three island

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

Scroll down for all the latest updates on our live blog.Scots can carry on using the Protect Scotland coronavirus app on their phones when they travel to England and Wales.The development follows work to make it compatible in Northern Ireland and territories including Gibraltar.The software was designed to alert users if they have been in close contact with anyone who tested positive.Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the UK Treasury will fund furlough wage payments if Nicola Sturgeon puts Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Government is looking at making travel restrictions mandatory.

Scroll down for all the latest updates.The SNP leader is asked about the uncertain outcome of the US presidential election.

hospitality premises will be able open across the central belt during the day under changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon.The controversial definition of a cafe is being removed by the Scottish Government, after a backlash, meaning all premises can operate in the day up to 6pm without selling alcohol.At level 2, which currently covers the rest of Scotland, hospitality premises can sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm instead of 6pm, allowing scope for evening meals.Hotels and other

To get the latest news on the coronavirus, sign up to our  newsletter. Nicola Sturgeon today revealed details of a new five-tier system which will be used to decide how to implement local lockdowns from next month.The framework will be debated by MSPs next week before council areas are placed in one of the tiers as of November 2.But what do the five levels mean?A new official survey has revealed in Scotland an estimated 0.57% of people in private households had Covid-19 in the two weeks from

schoolboy who transformed into Nicola Sturgeon for Halloween got the seal of approval from the First Minister herself.The seven-year-old from North Lanarkshire donned his finest wig, heels and purple dress, complete with poppy badge, to dress up as the Ms Sturgeon for Halloween.In a short clip, the funnyman has a go at Scots comedian, Janey Godley's side-splitting voice overs of the coronavirus daily briefings that have gone down a storm wordwide.The 'wee star' from Coatbridge had the FM and

First Minister said the advice to the Scottish Government was that it was not "safe" to lift the curbs.The Government recently implemented a series of temporary restrictions which are due to expire on Monday.Across the country, pubs and restaurants have only been able to open indoors between 6am and 6pm, but no alcohol is allowed to be sold.The hospitality curb is even greater in five health board areas where pubs and restaurants have been closed, apart from takeaways.With a new 5 "tier" system

lockdown restrictions in the Scottish Parliament today. Members of parliament on all sides of the house will debate the plan drawn up by the government to place different parts of the country into a tiered system similar to the one in England.

@scotgov is handling the pandemic well."Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “People have made huge sacrifices for months on end, they will be devastated to hear that Christmas as they know it is cancelled this year.

To get the latest news on the coronavirus, sign up to our  newsletter. Nicola Sturgeon is due to give an update on Scotland’s temporary coronavirus restrictions later on Wednesday following a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet.

Nicola Sturgeon has revealed a new strategic plan for tackling coronavirus will be published at the end of this week.The First Minister announced today she would discuss the outline of the framework with opposition leaders tomorrow.Sturgeon has previously said a tiered alert system, similar to what was put in place in England last week, will be part of the Scottish Government’s approach.The First Minister said: “One of the things the framework will set out are the different tiers or levels of