Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as First Minister says lockdown easing is 'unlikely'

Christmas with their families next month after leaders of the four UK nations agreed on a festive plan. From December 23 to 27 people will be permitted to create a ' Christmas bubble ' where up to three households can mix.

Hogmanay parties next month.The First Minister said today the New Year period was not part of the four-nations discussions on how to ease lockdown restrictions in late December.The focus would instead be on allowing people to meet indoors in small numbers around Christmas.The SNP leader said when it came to relaxing the rules next month, ministers "couldn't do everything" and warned a ban on indoor household gatherings could be back in place by Hogmanay.Speaking at her daily media briefing in

coronavirus  vaccine created in the UK can prevent 70.4 percent of people from catching the bug, a new study has found. Oxford University  and AstraZeneca have announced that their jag is effective in preventing people from different age groups from getting sick.

Scottish Conservative leader insisted he was "in it to win it" when asked if he had any chance of ousting Nicola Sturgeon in May 2021.

Christmas "bauble" over the festive season to allow families to meet indoors. The First Minister coined the pun as she revealed discussions between devolved administrations and the UK Government were being held on easing some lockdown restrictions next month.

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

infection figures this morning in councils across the Glasgow and Greater Clyde region, Lanarkshire and potentially West Lothian. Glasgow council area, the three Ayrshire councils, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, West and East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Stirling and possibly Inverclyde are all being looked at for tier 4, according to leaked documents.

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 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

targeted emergency crews on bonfire night.The disorder was reported on a busy night despite lockdown restrictions and repeated pleas to avoid gatherings.In another day of coronavirus updates, Sturgeon also confirmed travellers arriving from Denmark, Germany and Sweden must enter a mandatory 14 day quarantine.

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

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