There is no law to stop people travelling from Scotland or Wales to celebrate New Year in England where Covid restrictions are not as strict, a minister says.

Work and pensions minister Chloe Smith tells BBC Radio 4's World at One programme: "We are one country and people are more than free to move around inside our country under the general law obviously.

"But also at this time in terms of any Covid restrictions as I understand it there are of course slightly different points of guidance and regulation operating in the different parts of the UK."

Smith says it's time to be cautious and listen to all the administrations in the UK.

She says: "The best thing to do is to get boosted and make use of lateral flow testing so that you can keep yourself healthier and crucially keep those around you, wherever you are, healthier and safer too."

Scots are being urged not to travel to England for Hogmanay, while Welsh businesses fear they could miss out to England if people travel over the border where nightclubs are open and large gatherings are unrestricted.

More than 250 people have picked up Covid in a tightly packed and poorly ventilated bar in northern Thailand, authorities say.

Officials fear the superspreader event, linked to a couple who had travelled from Belgium, could drive a rise in Omicron cases across the country.

BBC Asia Pacific Editor Celia Hatton says the Thai authorities say a married couple returned to the north-eastern province of Kalasin after visiting relatives in Belgium. They weren't required to quarantine and so went out immediately to several bars, restaurants and shops without realising they had Covid.

The cluster has already been linked to hundreds of cases in 11 other provinces.

Thai authorities say unless more restrictions are introduced, infections could reach 30,000 cases a day by March, up from about 2,500 cases a day now.

Scotland is not currently changing its isolation rules, despite the impact of staff absences on the economy and critical services, Nicola Sturgeon says.

She says ministers are considering the issue and hope to reach a decision next week, with any changes taking effect from 5 January.

In England, people who have tested positive can now leave isolation after seven days, if they have two negative lateral flow results on days six and seven.

With testing capacity under pressure, the first minister says essential workers and the clinically vulnerable will be prioritised for some slots.

However, she stresses testing is available for anyone who needs it. If slots are unavailable she advises people to try again later as they are released throughout the day.

For at least the first week of January, people in Scotland are being advised to stay at home more if possible and limit the size of indoor gatherings to no more than three households, Sturgeon says.

People are also advised to take a lateral flow test before meeting other households, she adds.

The protective measures for hospitality venues and events are expected to remain in place until 17 January but will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, she says.

Here's a reminder of what the coronavirus rules are in Scotland at the moment.

Nicola Sturgeon says there are "some grounds for optimism" after early data suggested Omicron may be less severe.

If it is the case a lower proportion of people need hospital care with Omicron, that would "inform how we respond in the weeks ahead", the first minister says.

The rise in cases has not yet translated into a corresponding rise in hospital admissions, which have remained broadly stable, she adds.

However, she warns hospital admissions are increasing in England and this may be "a sign of things to come".

For the next couple of weeks, she says there is a need for caution but then ministers will have a "clearer picture" to make decisions.

The Omicron wave is now "rapidly developing" in Scotland, with the variant accounting for 80% of cases, the first minister says.

Nicola Sturgeon says it is reasonable to assume we will continue to see "steep increases" in cases in the following days and possibly weeks.

She adds it is "vital" people continue to take "sensible precautions" and limit social interactions.

Scotland has reported another record number of daily cases.

The first minister says 15,849 cases were reported in the last 24-hour period - the highest daily figure recorded since the start of the pandemic.

The positivity rate was 28.9% - but Nicola Sturgeon says the higher rate in recent days may be partially explained by people being selective about when they come forward for a test over Christmas.

Some 679 people are in hospital in Scotland with Covid - 80 more than yesterday.

And three more deaths within 28 days of a positive test have been recorded.

There will be no immediate changes to Covid measures or public advice currently in force in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says.

Image source, PA Media

We're expecting an update from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Covid to start in the next few minutes.

Restrictions in Scotland are currently stricter than in England, with limits on the size of public events and official Hogmanay celebrations cancelled. Nightclubs are also closed, while other venues are table service only.

Cases in Scotland hit record levels over Christmas and people have been urged by the deputy first minister not to travel to England for new year to get around the tougher restrictions.

We'll bring you the main points from the first minister here but if you're after more detailed coverage of what Sturgeon has to say you can follow it here.

Image source, PA Media

Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from Serbia's ATP Cup team, raising doubts about whether he will compete at the Australian Open next month.

His participation in Melbourne has been a topic of speculation over his vaccination status.

All players and staff at the 2022 Australian Open must be vaccinated or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts.

But defending champion Djokovic, who is opposed to Covid jabs, has not spoken publicly about his vaccination status.

Read more here.

When is Covid most infectious?published at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2021

13:30 GMT 29 December 2021

Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent

Infectiousness is not like a switch. It does not just go on to off.

Instead, people with Covid gradually go from a period of peak infectiousness to lower infectiousness.

The most infectious period starts a few days before symptoms develop – this is one of the reasons why the virus is so hard to contain. After about five days the risk of passing on the virus will start to decline for most people.

But it is still possible to be infectious. That’s why when countries started introducing isolation periods many went for 14 days. It was a belt-and-braces approach.

But over time these isolation periods have been reduced, reflecting the reduced threat the virus presents as vaccines have been rolled out.

In England it has now been set at seven days if you are negative using a rapid test. That should give people a good idea if they have passed peak infectiousness and reflects the fact the government has made these rapid tests easily accessible to everyone.

The US approach for people who do not have symptoms is grounded in research that suggests these cases are likely to be less infectious.

Some experts have said it would be better to have some form of testing at the five-day mark to make sure.

But, at the end of the day, it is all about balancing the risks – from both the virus and our responses to it.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us, here's a quick summary of the main stories so far today:

• Pharmacists are warning of patchy supplies of rapid Covid tests following changes to self-isolation rules
• PCR and lateral flow tests can now be ordered or booked in all areas of the UK, after they were temporarily unavailable in some nations this morning
• The prime minister is encouraging people to get their booster and enjoy New Year in a sensible and cautious way
• Scots have been urged not to travel to England for New Year celebrations to get around restrictions north of the border
• The US and several European countries have reported their highest daily rises in Covid cases since the pandemic began, as the Omicron variant spreads
• Nightclubs in France are being forced to close for another three weeks as cases surge.

Image source, Getty Images

Having an online collection code for lateral flow tests does not guarantee they will be in stock at a chemist, the chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England says.

Thorrun Govind says people “think it is like online shopping where you just go and collect an order”.

“But actually if pharmacies haven’t got any tests in stock, it is out of our control," she tells the BBC.

She urges the public not to become angry with pharmacy staff and asks for patience amid the increased demand.

This morning the prime minister has been talking to reporters while on a visit to a vaccination centre.

Here's what Boris Johnson says about Omicron and booster jabs.

Welsh businesses fear they could miss out if people travel over the border to England to celebrate the New Year.

Nightclubs have closed and limits on numbers who can meet have been introduced in Wales, but in England there are no plans to tighten restrictions before the end of the year.

Mark Finlay, operations manager for the Fat Boar Group, which owns pubs and restaurants in Wrexham and Flintshire, says: "New Year will be the real test. There's been a couple of comments from customers who say they will come here for a meal and then make their way to Chester [in England] to celebrate properly - in their words. So the New Year countdown will be more sedate."

The Welsh government says the new restrictions have been put in place to help keep people safe and £120m will be made available to support businesses impacted.

Read more.

There are now PCR test appointments available to book in every area of the UK and home tests are available to order again.

It is also possible to order lateral flow tests online from the NHS website again.

PCR test appointments were temporarily unavailable in England and Northern Ireland this morning, while home tests and rapid tests were also not available to order.

The UK Health Security Agency says availability is refreshed regularly throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Roger Gale says he has been told by the health secretary that there's a "world shortage of lateral flow and PCR test supplies", external.

Image source, Getty Images

The shadow health secretary has called the government incompetent following reports that people are unable to order rapid covid tests online or get them from pharmacies.

Labour's Wes Streeting says: “The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.

“People are trying to do the right thing, follow the government’s own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative government’s incompetence.

“They need to get a grip and provide enough tests so people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.”

The UK Health Security Agency says delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since 18 December amid "unprecedented demand".

Image source, Reuters

To France now, where nightclubs are being forced to close for another three weeks, after the country smashed its record number of cases.

France's clubs were closed on 6 December to avoid a spike in cases over the festive period.

But authorities recorded 179,807 cases on Tuesday, much higher than the previous record of 100,000 on Saturday. That means three more weeks of closures from 3 January are necessary, ministers say.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has encouraged local officials to limit public New Year's Eve gatherings, especially by wearing face masks and enforcing a ban on drinking alcohol in public.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has responded to shortages of lateral flow tests, saying it is continuing to supply millions of tests daily despite "unprecedented demand".

A spokesman says delivery capacity has doubled to 900,000 test kits per day since 18 December.

“During periods of exceptional demand there may be temporary pauses in ordering or receiving tests, to ensure we manage distribution across the system and support changing requirements for LFD and PCR tests," he says.

"Reduced postal schedules also impact on delivery capacity over the Christmas period."

He adds that availability is refreshed regularly throughout the day and people should check back every few hours.

Image source, Adam Goodwin

As we reported earlier there are currently no PCR test appointments available in England and Northern Ireland, while home tests are also not available to order.

Adam Goodwin, from Norwich, has been unable to book a test for his children.

Their mum tested positive on 26 December and her children have since tested positive on lateral flow tests.

“It’s impacting me as I am due to have the kids back today for the whole of the New Year weekend and celebrate with them," Adam says.

“It now means I will be spending this alone and worrying for the kids and their mum's health.

“Also not knowing if they have Covid or not... it means we all potentially miss out on our planned events when it may not be necessary."