Nicola Sturgeon has announced major new coronavirus restrictions for Scotland over Christmas.
As a result of fears surrounding a new strain of the deadly virus, the Scottish Government has announced the retraction of the five day window of flexibility in Scotland with household mixing only permitted for 24 hours over Christmas Day.
Households will only be allowed to mix for Christmas Day alone with no overnight stays - most of Scotland also faces a return of the toughest level four restrictions from Boxing Day.
Nicola Sturgeon said: "This action is designed to prevent more of this new strain entering Scotland and secondly this action is designed to reduce the risk of it spreading where it already is in Scotland."
"If we act now we have a chance of keeping things under control," she added.
Eight people from a maximum of three households will still be allowed to meet in the 24 hour window.
The first minister has also advised against cross-border travel and said increased enforcement from Police Scotland is part of the new Covid restrictions over the whole festive period.
See all the updates from tonight's emergency briefing on our dedicated live blog here.
