Another Christmas lockdown is the last thing Scotland wants, but there are fears could restrictions be imposed for a second year in a row.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has warned rules could be brought back to tackle Covid cases over winter.
He told MSPs today that the Scottish Government would impose restrictions, if required, to help cope with increased coronavirus case numbers.
Scotland's situation remains "precarious" as we face "uncertainty and risk" this winter, he added.
Is Christmas at risk?
Regarding further restrictions, Yousaf said: "As you would expect, presiding officer, the Scottish Government continues to explore all options for how it will respond to the evolving pandemic and we will not hesitate to strengthen the protective measures in place if it proves necessary to do so.
"The uncertainty and risk we face as Winter progresses means now is certainly not the time to relax our approach. We all need to redouble our efforts to adhere to the protective measures in place and follow the guidance."
His remarks come after England's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van Tam, said Christmas and winter would be potentially "problematic".
As to how a Christmas lockdown could be prevented, Van Tam explained: "And I think the things that are really going to determine this are, first of all, human behaviours and caution over the winter months, but particularly in the next couple of months if you’re talking about Christmas, so it’s how cautious we are.
"The next one is how well the vaccination programmes go."
What is the Covid situation?
Some 3,495 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Wednesday, according to the Scottish Government figures.
On Tuesday, November 2, 2,010 new daily cases of Covid-19 were reported.
The infection rate has held relatively steady since the start of October.
Clackmannanshire, Aberdeenshire and West Lothian have the highest positive tests in Scottish local authorities.
The lowest positive test rates in local authority are Shetland, Glasgow City and Perth and Kinross.
Booster jab warning
The figures come as an expert has issued a warning to older people and those in high risk groups ahead of Christmas this year.
John Roberts from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries said he is concerned they will not all receive their booster jabs in time.
He added that gatherings and parties could also further the spread as the booster may not be available for some until January 2022.
Scots aged between 60 to 69 and others in high risk groups are currently being vaccinated as boosters and flu jabs.
Last Christmas, restrictions in Scotland were relaxed just on Christmas day.
The Covid advice at the time was to minimise the number of people mixing.
Travel was allowed in Scotland, but not within the rest ok the UK. Scots were allowed to mix with a maximum of eight people from three three households.
