Mainland Scotland awoke to new lockdown on December 26, after Nicola Sturgeon announced Tier 4 restrictions would last for three weeks.
The First Minister warned that Scottish Police would "strengthen" enforcement of the travel ban at the English border, with the force deciding the operational details of how this is achieved.
In an emergency press conference on Saturday 19 December, Nicola Sturgeon had addressed concerns over the spread of a mutant strain of the virus in Wales and South East England which appears to be fueling coronavirus cases.
This came just days before Scotland recorded 2,622 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours on Dec 31, which was a record high for the third consecutive day.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has stated that the number of police patrolling the border with England will be doubled in order to deter people crossing during the festive period.
17 cases of the new strain were already reported in Scotland, but the First Minister emphasised that this was likely an underestimate. She reiterated that there is no evidence that the new strain is more severe or has a higher mortality rate, however it is 70 per cent more transmissible, according to scientists.
"We do already have a concern that this strain may be driving faster transmission in some hospitals and some care homes. The bottom line we face is if we don’t act firmly and decisively to stop the transmission it will take hold," the First Minister said.
Ms Sturgeon said case numbers in Scotland were broadly stable, with Covid rates around half the level of England and half that in Wales.
"The action is designed to prevent more of this new strain entering Scotland and reduce the risk of it spreading any further within Scotland."
Schools are to shut for an additional fortnight, until Jan 18, with online lessons supposed to start from Jan 11.
Can I travel to Scotland?
Under Scottish regulations you must not travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK unless you have a reasonable excuse, such as for work, education or essential shopping.
These rules, which will be kept under review, mean you still cannot travel to Scotland for non-essential reasons now the lockdown has ended in England.
Other exceptions include travel for healthcare, childcare or shared parenting, and a full list can be found on the Scottish Government website.
What are the levels?
The five-level system sees Scottish council areas subject to different limitations based on the infection rate.
Scotland as a whole is subject to general rules, such as remote working where possible, mandatory masks on public transport, and a ban on non-essential travel to or from level 3+ areas.
Level 0 (low)
Level 0 will see the most lenient restrictions applied to low-risk areas in Scotland.
Indoor household mixing will be permitted in homes and public places up to a maximum of eight people from three households. Socialising will be permitted outdoors up to a maximum of 15 people from five households.
Hospitality venues will be permitted to open at normal licensing times, although social distancing rules will still apply.
Hotel-stays will be permitted. However, non-essential travel to/from level 3+ areas in the UK will be prohibited.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers, cinemas and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship will be limited to a maximum of 50 people.
Outdoor and indoor events will be permitted with restricted numbers with the exception of indoor grouped standing events.
Level 1
Indoor household mixing will be prohibited, barring exceptions such as caring duties. Socialising will be permitted outdoors and in public places up to a limit of six people from two households.
Indoor and outdoor hospitality establishments will remain open until 10.30pm (9.30pm last entry).
Hotel stays will be permitted. However, non-essential travel to/from level 3+ areas in the UK will be prohibited.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers, cinemas and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted, with the exception of indoor contact sports played by over-18s.
Weddings and funerals will be limited to a maximum of 20 people and places of worship will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.
Seated indoor/outdoor events will be permitted with restricted numbers, but grouped standing events will not be permitted.
Level 2
Restrictions on socialising will remain unchanged from level 1.
Indoor hospitality establishments will close at 8pm (7pm last entry) and alcohol may only be served with a main meal. Outdoor hospitality venues may remain open until 10.30pm (9.30pm last entry).
Hotel stays will be permitted, but non-essential travel to/from level 3+ areas in the UK will be prohibited.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers, cinemas and libraries will remain open.
Gyms will remain open and all sports will be permitted, with the exception of indoor contact sports played by over-18s.
Weddings and funerals will be limited to a maximum of 20 people and places of worship will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people.
Level 3
Restrictions on socialising will remain unchanged from level 2, but the maximum number of people at weddings, funerals and religious ceremonies will be capped at 20.
There will be further limits on public venues with closures of cinemas, arcades and bingo halls. Drive-in events will also be banned.
Hospitality establishments will be prohibited from selling alcohol and will close at 6pm (last entry at 5pm). Non-essential shops and hairdressers will remain open.
Gyms will remain open but indoor exercise will be limited to individual workouts. Outdoor exercise will be limited to non-contact sport with the exception of under-18s. Professional sport will continue.
Hotel-stays will be permitted where essential. Non-essential hotel stays will be permitted for locals only.
Level 4 (very high)
Scots in areas with severe Covid-19 outbreaks will be placed into near-full lockdowns, with restrictions on travel and instructions to stay at home.
Restrictions on socialising remain the same as in level 3 areas, but Ms Sturgeon advised people to stay at home as much as possible.
Non-essential shops and hospitality establishments will closed without exception.
Hairdressers and other close contact services (for example, beauticians) will close.
Homeworking is advised for all sectors with the exception of essential work, outdoor work, construction and manufacturing jobs.
Non-essential travel into or out of level 4 areas will be prohibited and public transport should only be used when essential.
Gyms will close and outdoor sports will be restricted to non-contact games. However, professional sports are allowed to continue.
Informal childcare is permitted for the children of key workers, and formal childcare will be subjected to "targeted intervention".
As of Friday, December 11, no local authorities are under level 4 restrictions.
Which areas are in which tier?
The five-tier system assigns a level of restrictions in each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas from zero to four.
Level 0
No local authorities will be in level 0 (the most lenient tier) from November 2.
Level 1
No areas of Scotland are currently in Tier 1.
Level 2
No areas of Scotland are currently in Tier 2.
Level 3
The following local authorities are classified as level 3:
- Orkney
- Shetland
- Western Isles
- All Isles in Highland, apart from the Isle of Skye, which is in Tier 4.
- The following islands in Argyll and Bute are now in level 3: The Isle of Coll, the Isle of Colonsay, the Isle of Erraid, the Isle of Gometra, the Isle of Iona, the Isle of Islay, the Isle of Jura, the Isle of Mull, the Isle of Oronsay, the Isle of Tiree, and the Isle of Ulva.
Level 4
As of 0:01am on Boxing Day, all of mainland Scotland and the Isle of Skye will be under Tier 4 restrictions.
