Scotland's Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said that all options must remain on the table for Covid lockdown rules, stating that nothing can be "sensibly ruled out" at this stage.
Freeman admitted "every possible option remains on the table" and said health chiefs would be studying Covid prevalence rates closely ahead of the next review of restrictions on Tuesday.
There has been speculation that some areas of Scotland could have tighter restrictions imposed after 27 December - when the five-day period of relaxed rules surrounding household mixing come to an end.
Up to three households in Scotland will be allowed to gather indoors between December 23 and 27 but there are fears that virus rates will spike soon after.
Ms Freeman said: “Nothing at this point can sensibly be ruled out but we will look at what the information we have tells us, the judgments we think are the right judgments to make, and we will make that clear on Tuesday when the First Minister speaks in the Scottish Parliament."
The health secretary was speaking as three council areas prepared to move to a higher level of restrictions - including East Lothian.
