Tighter coronavirus restrictions will be extended across Scotland from Boxing Day, Nicola Sturgeon announced today.
Tier 4 measures will apply to all of mainland Scotland with island communities placed into Tier 3 from one minute past midnight on Boxing Day.
The First Minister introduced new measures to combat a new potent strain of the virus identified down south.
She suggested that the new lockdown would be reviewed after two weeks but restrictions are expected to stay in place for three weeks.
Sturgeon said: "Very firm preventative action is now necessary - this is probably the most serious and potentially most dangerous juncture since the start of the pandemic."
The new measures to combat the "once in a century pandemic" will be reviewed after two weeks, said the First Minister.
Sturgeon admitted the necessity of new measures made her "want to cry" but urged Scots to "redouble" their efforts in following public health advice.
She also admitted if she had her time again, she would have acted differently in February and early March.
And she added: "I know how harsh it is - but this virus doesn't care about anything apart from spreading as far and wide as possible."
The First Minister also announced a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK and the world.
She also said bubbles of up to eight people and three households will be able to meet on Christmas Day only - rather than for five days as previously announced.
She was speaking after Boris Johnson announced tighter restrictions down south to help combat a new strain of the virus that might be up to 70 percent more transmissable than the old variant.
The First Minister said cases have started to rise again in many areas after a drop-off but are still lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK.
She said there was nothing to suggest the new strain affects people more seriously or will lessen the effectiveness of the vaccine.
But she said action is necessary to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed in January.
Sturgeon earlier met with representatives from the other four nations of the United Kingdom to discuss the threat.
Following the call the SNP leader took to Twitter to announce she was arranging an urgent Scottish Government cabinet meeting.
Although cases are currently lower than the result of the UK, Sturgeon had said "preventative action may be necessary".
Sturgeon confirmed on Tuesday that nine cases of the new Covid variant have been identified in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board region.
It comes after the new strain of the virus - found to be up to 70 percent more transmissable - was discovered by experts south of the border.
Earlier Boris Johnson introduced a higher Tier Four from tomorrow for the worst hit areas of England, including London and the South East.
The Prime Minister also tightened Christmas restrictions with people told not to travel into a tier four area, though support bubbles and exemptions for separated parents and their children remain in place.
Across the rest of England, rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only.
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