Scotland's covid rules could change which would see the self-isolation period cut from 10 to seven days.
Nicola Sturgeon is due to provide an update on the situation during a virtual session in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.
As it stands, Scotland is the only country in the UK where people are required to isolate for 10 days, however the First Minister may make a move to reduce this timescale tomorrow, the Daily Record reports.
The Scottish Government has faced strong calls from the Tories to slash the rules in order to ease the pressure on the NHS workforce across the country, with staff absences affecting a number of key services.
Scores of NHS staff are off work due to catching the virus or having to remain at home after coming into contact with someone who contracted covid, while bus and train timetables have been reduced to cope with the staff shortages.
And during an interview on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme today (Tuesday), Deputy First Minister John Swinney hinted there could be a change to the rules.
He said: "We're actively considering the issue of reducing the self isolation period.
"The First Minister confirmed that to parliament in the virtual session on the 29th of December, and further details will be shared with parliament in its virtual session tomorrow.
"We're obviously looking at the clinical advice that is crucial in the hands of this because as I've indicated before in these discussions, we do not in any way shape or form serve anybody's interests if we ignore the clinical dimension of this issue."
In a virtual session of the parliament on December 29, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross urged the government to change the rules.
He said: "I’ve been speaking to businesses throughout the festive period and they’re trying to plan for the next few weeks and months but the First Minister’s indecision on these self-isolation rules is continuing to cause them trouble to plan for the period ahead.
"Absences and a lack of staff cover will mean premises having to close their doors early or not open at all, despite staff testing negative.
"Businesses across Scotland are struggling with the impact of these restrictions at what should be their busiest time of year. And many of the same businesses are also affected by these self-isolation rules.
"We’ve had the ground-breaking Omicron study that shows while it's is more transmissible, it is less severe. So First Minister, what more information do you need to take the step on self isolation that we’ve been calling for for weeks?"
