Nicola Sturgeon is reported to be planning tougher covid restrictions in Scotland amid a belief that the current set of curbs will not be enough to contain the new omicron variant.
The First Minister will hold a media briefing later today after telling opposition leaders that the latest strain of the virus will become the dominant variant within days, the Daily Record reports.
It comes after her Public Health Scotland urged Scots to defer their Christmas parties following a number of outbreaks linked to festive events.
Update - FM will make covid announcement today as Scots urged to cancel parties
Ms Sturgeon is understood to have briefed opposition leaders on omicron yesterday, with a source telling the paper that she warned of “tough choices” and added: “She said that where we are now in terms of restrictions is not going to be enough.”
A second insider said the UK Government’s Plan B, which broadly resembles current restrictions in Scotland, is enough to contain the Delta variant but not Omicron.
Earlier this week, The First Minister described the new variant as "really concerning", confirming that the new of omicron cases had increased tenfold in a week.
The overall number of cases of omicron in Scotland is now 109, but the Scottish Government warned that a change in reporting had resulted in a two-day lag, meaning the number is likely higher than this.
"A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course."
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