At her briefing in Edinburgh this afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set out new rules regarding the self-isolation process in Scotland.
As of tomorrow, December 11, all household contacts of any confirmed coronavirus case should isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status.
The household contacts will also have to isolate even if their initial PCR test is negative, and non-household contacts should also isolate until they receive a negative PCR test back, and are at least double vaccinated.
This news comes as Nicola Sturgeon also warns that the Omicron variant is significantly more transmissible than the Delta variant, due to the sharp exponential growth in cases and the higher R number it poses.
READ MORE - Nicola Sturgeon issues grim warning over Omicron 'potential tsunami'
The Scottish Government has estimated that the R number associated with Omicron is likely to be well over two, and possibly closer to three.
This means that due to the R number of the Omicron variant rising by the day, the R number for Scotland as a whole will also increase, most likely above two in the coming days.
The First Minister said: "All of these estimates are based on the limited evidence already available here in Scotland, but also other data available from South Africa and elsewhere.
"What it all means is that in our judgement, it is no longer a question of if we are facing a surge in cases.
"We now believe that to be virtually certain.
" Our health protection teams are working really hard through contact tracing, testing and isolation to slow the spread of Omicron cases and I want to thank them for the excellent work they are doing.
"But the nature of transmission means we expect to see a rapid rise in cases in the days ahead.
"This is driven by the transmissibility of this variant. Figures we are seeing here in Scotland are consistent with data from around the world.
"They provide a considerable degree of certainty that Omicron is significantly more transmissible than the Delta variant.
Follow our live blog here for all the latest information ahead of the First Minister's proposed briefing.
"The best expert advice also tells us that Omicron is more capable of re-infecting people who have had the virus previously.
"And – based on preliminary laboratory trials – the best evidence suggests it can evade to some extent the immunity conferred by vaccinations."
Due to the nature of the surge in cases across Scotland, the Scottish Government has decided to strengthen the rules surrounding the self-isolation process in the country, to stop the spread of the virus.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed in her briefing that: "Therefore, from tomorrow, our advice will be that all household contacts of any confirmed Covid case should isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status, and even if they initially get a negative PCR test.
"I know this is not easy - and we will keep it under review. We will also ensure careful exemptions for critical services.
"But we believe this to be essential at this moment to help slow transmission.
"Non-household contacts should continue to isolate pending a PCR result, if that is negative they can leave isolation as long as they are double vaccinated."
Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf also tweeted the news, saying: "From tomorrow our advice is that all household contacts of any confirmed Covid case should self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status or negative PCR.
"Non-household contacts isolate, but can leave isolation if PCR is negative and you're double vaccinated."
For more updates on the latest following the briefing today, follow along on our live blog, here.
