The First Minister has announced a five-tier lockdown restriction plan for Scotland.
And laying it out as part of Friday's daily coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon gave an assurance that there would be no return to the March-style lockdown.
That means that, even under the highest level of restrictions, schools and businesses will remain open.
She spoke as she confirmed that 18 people died on Thursday from the virus with 1401 new cases recorded.
The new measures will allow the government to impose different measures across Scotland depending on the prevalence of the virus.
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Level 0 is broadly comparable to the position we reached in August when the virus was very suppressed, but still a threat, the First Minister says.
Level 1 sees slightly more restrictions - for example, indoor household meetings would reduce to six people from two households - but there would still be a reasonable degree of normality overall.
Level 2 entails restrictions broadly similar to those currently in place just now outside the central belt – with limitations on hospitality and no gatherings in people’s homes.
Level 3 is broadly similar to the tougher restrictions which currently apply across the central belt, with much of hospitality being closed completely
Level 4 which of course, we would not use unless absolutely necessary – would apply when transmission rates are or threatening to become very high, with corresponding pressure on the NHS.
The restrictions at level 4 are closer to a full lockdown. For example non-essential shops would close.
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However even under level 4 restrictions, six people from up to two households could still meet outdoors; there would be no limit on outdoor exercise for individuals; and manufacturing and construction businesses would stay open, with safety measures in place
