Pressure on the NHS in Scotland i s increasing again as we head into the colder months.
Fears of a disastrous winter are growing throughout the country as Covid-19 case numbers remain high.
Yesterday the Scottish Government announced that 26 deaths and 2,768 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the previous 24 hours.
With talks of 'Plan B' and even 'Plan C' south of the border, will Scotland follow suit and reintroduce tighter restrictions if the situation does not improve?
Here is what we know so far.
What is 'Plan B'?
Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnston outlined plans that he hopes will tackle Covid during the autumn and winter months this year.
The first step - Plan A - focuses on testing and vaccination to help prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.
In England, this is the course of action at the moment as all legal covid restrictions were lifted back in July.
Plan B was set out to be used if the NHS began to face 'unsustainable pressure' meaning the health service would struggle to cope as we head into winter.
Under this plan, England would reinforce some restrictions with other measures being introduced.
For example, under Plan B face coverings would again be mandatory south of the border with vaccine passports required for mass events.
The UK Government would also encourage a return to home working where possible under this plan.
Scotland and 'Plan B'
Unlike our neighbours south of the border, Scots continue to live under slightly stricter Covid measures.
This means that were are living in a world very similar to the PM's 'Plan B'.
Nicola Sturgeon has enforced different rules to other devolved nations as we move through the pandemic in a bid to keep Scotland safe.
Vaccine certification was introduced at the beginning of the month, becoming legally enforceable earlier this week - Monday 18 October.
Face coverings in public places has been necessary throughout Scotland since it was first introduced back in July last year.
The Scottish Government recently decided that secondary school children will continue to be required to wear face coverings after the October break - a measure that was previously expected to be struck off.
This means it looks like face masks are here to stay in Scotland.
Scots have also been encouraged to remain working from home where possible, in contrast to the message in England.
Scots are urged to remain cautious by doing things like testing twice per week, meeting outdoors if possible and isolating as soon as symptoms appear, a positive covid test is returned, if they have been in contact with someone who tested positive, or if asked to by the NHS.
What is next?
Nicola Sturgeon has previously stated that there are no plans to put Scotland into another lockdown this winter.
The First Minister said last month that reimposing restrictions would be a 'last resort' but stated that it would be 'irresponsible' to rule out the reintroduced of some measures.
The SNP leader said that vaccination remains the single most important step to take as teenage vaccination and booster doses continue.
However, the high case numbers are certainly cause for concern.
The UK Government have also set out 'Plan C' which would be introduced which could ban the mixing of households in England this winter.
The cabinet are exploring which restrictions could be reimposed under this plan with the hopes to avoid further economic upset for businesses like shops, pubs and restaurants.
Things like the 'rule of six' are likely to form part of Plan C.
Scotland have taken an independent approach throughout the pandemic with restrictions often differing between the UK's four nations.
But worrying case numbers and high numbers of deaths throughout Scotland may lead to the nation following something similar to England's plans.
The Scottish Government are yet to set out possible next steps but continue to urge Scots to limit risks.
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