Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as tougher rules considered in parts of Scotland

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.

First Minister tweeted just after the Brexit transition period formally ended at 11pm on December 31. Scotland's trading and travel relationships with EU countries will now be governed by the agreement announced by the UK Government on Christmas Eve.

Boris Johnson said the deal would "benefit every party of the UK".The Prime Minister declared it would boost the fishing industry as well as the financial sector - two key employers north of the Border.European diplomats will meet on Christmas morning to review the deal on behalf of the EU's 27 member states, while MPs are likely to vote on the agreement on December 30.But the First Minister took a less than enthusiastic view.Sturgeon tweeted: “Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that

direct to your inboxNicola Sturgeon has apologised after she breached coronavirus lockdown rules.Scotland's First Minister took off her face mask at a funeral wake to chat to three women in a bar, a photograph published in the Scottish Sun showed.While Ms Sturgeon kept her distance, under Scottish Government Covid rules, customers in hospitality venues must wear a face covering except when seated and must wear one when moving around.Ms Sturgeon was attending a funeral wake for a Scottish

First Minister said the strain is spreading much faster and the Scottish Government will need to look at whether level 4 restrictions are sufficient.

England for Christmas as she returned to Scotland yesterday amid a strict cross-border travel ban.Lisa Cross, 34, should have been married earlier this month and starting a new life in Blackpool with her hubby, but her plans were postponed due to coronavirus.She now faces Christmas without her fiance after returning to Glasgow after the announcement, to be with her two children.

amid fears the new Covid-19 variant will spread.Ireland has banned all flights from the UK for 48 hours, as has Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Turkey, Belgium and Switzerland.The measures are temporary with plans for an EU council meeting at 10am to decide on co-ordinating EU actions.The announcement comes as Scotland prepares for a level four lockdown starting on Boxing Day.Opposition party leaders in Scotland have called on the SNP government to further explain the reasons for

coronavirus discovered in England may be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original variant.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A tot dressed up as Nicola Sturgeon is the star of a  hysterical Christmas play about Santa and lockdown that’s going down a storm.One of the wee ones at the Rainbow Nursery, in Paisley,  dresses up just like the First Minister.Three-year-old Ella boldly announces: “You’ve been telt!”Ella wears a single colour royal blue outfit normally used by the kids for dressing up as Mary Poppins.T’was the Night Before

German news channel Welt, the First Minister said she remained hopeful the UK Government would secure a Brexit deal before December 31.

coronavirus deaths recorded in Scotland in the last 24 hours, according to official figures Nicola Sturgeon also revealed at First Minister's Question s this lunchtime that there were 858 new cases of Covid-19 record overnight, taking the total figure to 109,296.

limit their Christmas bubbles to just two households despite guidance being published that they could visit up to three.

Scroll down for the latest updates.Nicola Sturgeon has backed the Christmas lockdown easing plan while at the same time strongly recommending people stay in their own homes.The First Minister said if people make use of the five day loosening of the rules, her advice is to limit the duration of the stay and the numbers of people.She also recommended that people from “high prevalence” covid areas do not travel to low prevalence parts the UK.Read the full story.A Scots mum has spoken of her

coronavirus pandemic  has forced thousands of Scots out of work leading to record redundancy figures, new data has revealed. Around 30,000 people in the country  lost their jobs  in the three months to October - up from 5,000 between May and July, numbers from the Office for National Statistics have shown.

including Edinburgh. And public health officials are recommending a return to level 3 rules for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

decision not to ease restrictions was unpopular but warned: "It would be like pouring petrol on smouldering embers." Sturgeon defended the decisions as public health officials and politicians prepare to set Scotland's 32 council area tiers for another week. The First Minister will announce what levels are being imposed during a statement at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.Last week's review saw Glasgow and 10 neighbouring councils leave the highest level 4 curbs.

George Foulkes wants Ofcom to intervene at BBC Scotland to make changes to the format of the First Minister's broadcasts, which are shown live several times a week. The former MP said updates on the latest Covid statistics should be presented by public health officials and not politicians.

police - because it is not “essential travel”. The Scout Scotland Santa Run in Stewarton, which has been running for decades, was halted after officers said the sleigh ride through the town breached lockdown rules.

will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.