The travel ban to Bedford, Bolton, Blackburn and Darwen is not a legal restriction.

But the the first minister says anyone planning to go there should delay their visit.

She also says that people from Scotland should remember the situation with the new variant is likely to change quickly.

She advises people not to travel to any parts of the UK with an active health protection response to the new variant.

She says people should check before planning any travel.

Ms Sturgeon says the total number of cases in East Renfrewshire is significantly smaller than Glasgow. She says many more of the cases in East Renfrewshire can be traced to specific household clusters than in Glasgow.

She says specific targeted public health information will help to keep Covid rates under control and that is why the authority is remaining in level two.

But she asks people who live there to co-operate with the enhanced measures including testing and vaccination.

She asks people to rethink any travel and delay until case rates are under control.

Health official says lockdown easing would be reconsidered if more severe cases put pressure on NHS.

The first minister says that despite hospitalisations remaining low there are "no grounds for complacency".

She says it is likely the R - or reproduction - number is now edging over one and it is important to remain cautious.

She says the Indian variant (April 02 variant) has become established in Scotland and there is reason to believe it is more transmissable than the Kent variant.

She says she will map out the local authority areas of concern - Moray, Glasgow and East Renfrewshire - one by one.

Image source, AFP

Plans are being made to vaccinate people from Tanzania's largely Muslim archipelago of Zanzibar so they can travel for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Hussein Mwinyi, the president of the semi-autonomous islands, said they would give special focus to Zanzibaris travelling to the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

"We understand that last year it wasn't possible to travel because of Covid restrictions, but this year the Saudi government has announced that it will only allow those who have been vaccinated," he said.

A task force formed to review Covid-19 protocols in Tanzania recently advised the government to consider a mass vaccination programme.

It was set up by Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took over as president in March following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, who was considered a Covid sceptic.

He had called for mass prayers to defeat coronavirus - and rejected calls for the country to acquire Covid vaccines.

President Samia, who had served as his deputy, has recently been seen wearing face masks and has been more upfront about the challenges of the pandemic.

This year the Hajj pilgrimage will take place in mid-July. Muslims are required to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their life if they are physically able and can afford to do so.

Image source, Getty Images

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the new health secretary Humza Yousaf and Scotland's national clinical director Jason Leitch will soon begin the briefing.

Follow our coverage here on the live page web stream, on BBC One and BBC Radio Scotland.

The virus was mentioned on the death certificates of seven people in the week leading up to 14 May.

The off-duty officer faces disciplinary action after being pictured in George Square with Rangers fans last weekend.

Friday is shaping up to be a significant day for several local authorities. Here is what's happening:

• A decision is expected to be announced about whether the Covid levels in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and Moray will change
• Glasgow's high infection rate could see it remain in level three for a bit longer
• East Renfrewshire, whose rate has overtaken Glasgow, could be moved up to level three
• Moray, which has seen success in getting the rates down, could join the rest of the mainland in level two. Read more on the update to Scotland's levels

• Spain says it is officially lifting restrictions for UK travellers from Monday
• The EU is due to confirm later its plans to give fully-vaccinated tourists the green light to visit resorts
• 432 new cases of Covid were confirmed in Scotland on Thursday
• No new deaths following a positive test were registered

The finance minister says even the worst case modelling shows the health service could cope.

A Scottish government agency breached information rules by refusing to reveal details of Covid deaths in care homes.

Alderney Wildlife Trust says islanders holidaying closer to home had resulted in a rise in donations.

Retail sales jump 9.2% in April as people returning to work and going out "update their wardrobes".

Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and Moray's levels will be reviewed ahead of a government briefing on Friday.

There is a shortage of specialised staff and equipment such as oxygen monitors, researchers find.

In its annual report, Scottish Mountain Rescue said its teams had their "busiest ever" summer last year.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Staff, pupils and family members at a Nottingham school are being asked to take a Covid-19 test after cases of the Indian variant were found.

Targeted testing will take place at Ellis Guilford School in Basford as a precautionary measure from Monday to Friday next week, Nottingham City Council said.

Image source, Google

It follows testing for the same variant - known as VOC-21APR-02 - that has taken place in other parts of the city, including Henry Whipple School in Bestwood.

Mobile units will be on site at Ellis Guilford, while home-testing kits will also be made available for other family members, officials confirmed.

The council is again urging all eligible people in Nottingham to book a vaccination when their turn comes.

It's the most digital government on Earth - but did that help when the pandemic hit?

Nicola Sturgeon says Glasgow has not yet "turned the corner", but Moray will move down a level and East Renfrewshire's rules will not change.

Those eligible for free meals will not receive vouchers during the break, the Manx government says.