Rutherglen's MSP has pleaded with locals to be cautious and take care after a new strand of coronavirus was found to have reached Lanarkshire.
Six cases of Omicron have been identified in Scotland, with four cases in Lanarkshire and a further two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
It is believed that some of those who are affected by the virus have no travel history, meaning they are likely to have caught it within the local community.
The new variant was first reported in South Africa, and has now spread to numerous other countries.
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey told Lanarkshire Live : "I appreciate this news will be concerning for people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang, as well as across both South and North Lanarkshire.
"At the moment, there is a huge amount that we do not know about the Omicron variant.
"Questions remain about its severity, transmissibility, and effect on treatments or vaccines and scientists are working at pace to provide additional information.
"The days and weeks ahead will tell us much more about the nature of this variant but, in the meantime, we should treat it seriously and with precaution.
"Please continue to wear face coverings, keep up good hygiene through washing hands and surfaces, get vaccinated, work from home if possible, and test yourself before mixing socially with people from other households."
To tackle the spread of the Omicron variant, the Scottish and UK governments have reinstated the red list of countries, with 10 countries from southern Africa added to it already.
Additionally, Scotland and England are introducing new border restrictions which will require fully vaccinated arrivals to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and to self-isolate until a negative result is received.
Both the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the health secretary Humza Yousaf have also asked Scots to take as much care as possible when travelling.
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