Nicola Sturgeon will recall the Scottish Parliament early for an urgent coronavirus update, it has been confirmed.
The First Minister was expected to wait until later in January to give a Covid statement to MSPs, however Holyrood will now reconvene on Wednesday (January 5.)
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The proceedings will be held virtually, with all members to attend the update online.
Speaking at around 2pm on January 5, Nicola Sturgeon will give a statement that is expected to last around 20 minutes, followed by 55 minutes of questions.
It comes as over 20,000 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Scotland on Monday (January 3), the highest daily figure that has been registered since the start of the pandemic.
With the Omicron variant now dominant throughout the country, its increased transmissibility has seen case numbers surge to new levels over the festive period.
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In response to the strain, Nicola Sturgeon had introduced new restrictions from Boxing Day, which included a ban on mass events and crowds both indoors and outdoors, meaning the closure of nightclubs and concerts.
Hospitality was also ordered to return to table service only, with the public asked to limit their social contacts as much as possible and take lateral flow tests.
1,031 people are currently in hospital in Scotland with coronavirus, with a further 38 in intensive care units around the country.
