The first minister says today's figures - six new deaths and a record increase in the number of cases - is a sharp reminder of the seriousness of the situation.

The first minister starts with the daily Covid statistics update.

Six more deaths have been registered of those who first tested positive for Covid in the last 28 days.

That's a total of 2544 deaths under this measure.

She says 1246 positive cases were identified in the last 24 hours - that's 16.2% of those newly tested.

440 of them were in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.

306 were in NHS Lanarkshire, and 192 were in NHS Lothian.

The remaining cases were spread across nine other health board areas, Nicola Sturgeon said.

A total of 37,033 cases have now been confirmed by testing throughout the epidemic in Scotland.

397 people are currently in hospital, up 20 since yesterday.

33 are in ICU, two more than yesterday.

Image source, PA Media

Nicola Sturgeon is due to give the latest figures on the number of cases at her daily coronavirus briefing at 12:15

How to watch and listen:

• On BBC One Scotlandthe programme will have the main part of the daily briefing, but also interviews and political reaction.
• Meanwhile, if you prefer, you can watch the whole of the briefing with all the questions from journalists on the BBC Scotland Channel
• Or you can listen to the briefing on Lunchtime Live on BBC Radio Scotland

All three are available here on this live page.

Good afternoon - we'll shortly be bringing you the latest update on the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland as the first minister prepares to deliver her daily briefing.

At 18:00 this evening new restrictions come into force across Scotland, with tighter rules for five health board areas in central Scotland including the shutting of pubs and restaurants.

Businesses are waiting to hear details of how £40m of Scottish government support will be allocated. They are also waiting to hear what Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce with pub closures expected in many parts of England in the coming days.

Here are the headlines from FMQs:

• Scotland recorded more than 1,000 cases of Covid-19 in the preceding 24 hours for the second day in a row
• Ruth Davidson and Nicola Sturgeon clashed over the 'Salmond Inquiry' during first minister's questions
• Richard Leonard called for social care to be returned to at least pre-pandemic levels, Patrick Harvie raised concerns about hospitality workers and Willie Rennie called for asymptomatic testing
• Tougher restrictions aimed at tackling Scotland's surge in coronavirus cases come into force tomorrow at 6pm
• All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed for 16 days
• The new restrictions will "sound the death knell" for some of Scotland's hospitality business, industry leaders have warned.

• Shoppers are being urged to respect staff and other customers as shops prepare to reintroduce the two-metre physical distancing rule from this weekend

Holyrood Live
BBC Parliaments

• 2:30-2.55pm:Portfolio Questions: Justice and the Law Officers
• 2.55-3.25pm: Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Response to the Mental Health Challenge of Covid-19
• 3.25-5.25pm: Scottish Government Debate: Debate on First Minister's Statement: COVID-19
• 5.30pm Decision Time

You can watch all the proceedings at Holyrood with us here on this live page.

Liam McArthur MSP says the first minister acknowledged on Wednesday that neither Orkney or Shetland has a rising number of Covid cases.

The Scottish Lib Dem member for Orkney says there have been five recent cases on the island - two of which tuned out to be false positives.

The remaining three relate to students who became infected and are self-isolating in other parts of Scotland, he adds.

Mr McArthur says he has also been told that there has been no community transmission in Orkney since April yet the the islanders must adhere to restrictions which are "clearly taking a toll on people's health, as well as jobs and businesses".

He asks why more account is not being taken of local circumstances and relative risks.

Mr Sturgeon says she does take "great account" of this and discussion are ongoing to see if a "different balance" can be struck for islands.

She adds: "These are not easy issues but if there are different ways of protecting our island communities we are open to them."

However she cautioned such decisions won't be easy or straightforward and there will always be "trade offs".

Image source, Getty Images

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie highlights the plight of cafes in her Dumbarton constituency and across Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park who will be forced to close their doors as they have a licence.

Ms Baillie says the reality is that "99% of what they do is about food and only 1% is about alcohol" and asks if there is a way for them to suspend their licences and continue to trade by offering food only.

She adds: "Otherwise they may have to close their doors permanently."

The first minister says the there will be a specific exemption for cafes in the regulations, which will be published on Friday.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader argues that the government's tracing system has not protected Scotland from a second peak and the elimination strategy has not succeeded.

He calls for mass routine testing of students and references a survey in England showing 90% of those tested had no symptoms.

The first minister insists Test and Protect is doing exceptional work and it "cannot supress this virus on its own."

But its work is saving countless number of people getting ill and potentially countless people dying, she adds.

Ms Sturgeon says the testing strategy will develop in line with the clinical advice the government has.

Willie Rennie says the restrictions announced yesterday do not seem like a targeted approach.

The Scottish Lib-Dem leader argues the government got "carried away with its language over the summer" and he says the first minister did not use the time well to prepare adequately.

He asks what she would have done differently to get on top of the virus over the summer.

The first minister replies no doubt when she looks back on this episode, there will be lots of things she would do differently.

However she fundamentally disagrees with Willie Rennie's characterisation and defends her government's efforts to drive the levels of infection to as low a level as possible.

She adds Scotland's case numbers per 100,000 are the lowest in the UK, which is the benefit of having driven the virus low.

Patrick Harvie says the Scottish government needs to "up its game on testing" and highlights his concerns over the numbers failing to self isolate.

He asks the first minister what support people will get so they can stay at home when they are asked to and if a financial grant will be made available to everyone who needs it?

Ms Sturgeon says: "The government does not have the financial wherewithal to make the grant available to everyone but we are targeting the support that is available at those who are most likely to need it."

She adds that includes those on low incomes and those likely to lose income if they have to self isolate.

Ms Sturgeon adds that she hopes more finding is made available from the UK government but also stresses the importance of practical help for those who have to remain indoors for 14 days.

Image source, Getty Images

Scottish Greens co-convenor Patrick Harvie raises concerns about workers in the hospitality industry affected by the new restrictions.

He highlights one group that has asked staff to take unpaid leave.

Mr Harvie asks how many full-time jobs the Scottish government's £40m package of support will protect and if it meets "the scale of need".

Ms Sturgeon says details about how the cash will be split will be announced tomorrowy.

She adds that the current expectation is that the funding will be distributed through a "two-tier support system" involving grants.

Ms Sturgeon says it will also involve a discretionary fund for those who are impactedm but are not being asked to close - similar to the support announced following the local lockdown in Aberdeen.

But the first minister adds she cannot "plug all the gaps".

Richard Leonard turns to cuts to social care services and calls for them to be restored to at least pre-pandemic levels.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has published research showing people were left without essential care such as help to wash, use the toilet and go to bed.

The first minister insists the government seeks to uphold the human rights of everyone in the country in everything it does.

Ms Sturgeon adds she will pay very close attention to this report and accepts it is critical people's care support is maintained.

She pledges to continue to work with local authorities and other organisations on this issue.

Image source, Getty Images

Richard Leonard argues that since the start of the pandemic, his party has called for the government to build a testing infrastructure and tracing capacity.

The Scottish Labour leader says his party has also asked repeatedly for asymptomatic testing of incoming travellers and for routine testing to be expanded to home care services.

The first minister hits back saying the government has sought to share its thinking, highlighting her briefing of opposition party leaders on Monday night before her announcement yesterday.

Ms Sturgeon reiterates: “It is literally a life and jobs balance all of the time.

"I wouldn’t wish these decisions on anyone. I accept its my responsibility.”

She adds: "We have an extremely well functioning Test and Protect system."

Richard Leonard tells the first minister that Liz Cameron, the chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, says there was a "complete and utter lack of consultation with business" on yesterday's new restrictions.

The Scottish Labour leader adds that the STUC confirmed there was no consultation with them either.

Mr Leonard asks why the first minister took the decision on restrictions "without consulting with, sharing the evidence with and preparing adequate support for those most affected"?

The first minister responds by saying the government consults with business, trade unions and other organisations "on an ongoing basis".

Ms Sturgeon points out the evidence must be assessed daily.

She highlights the £40m of financial support for businesses, with details expected to be announced tomorrow.

Image source, Getty Images

The Holyrood committee investigating the Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints has been told it'll have to seek a court order to get access to the documents it wants to see.

MSPs want to view court papers from the judicial review proceedings that were raised by Alex Salmond.

The principal clerk to the court has written to the committee to say it can provide some material, but is unable to provide the remaining documents without a ruling from a judge.

The inquiry has also asked the government when it realised its case was no longer defensible and why this wasn't known at an earlier stage.

Ruth Davidson insists the first minister's actions over the Salmond inquiry is not trivial and adds: "What lies at the heart of this matter is whether there was an abuse of power."

She calls Nicola Sturgeon's position "absurd".

Ms Davidson says: "I have spent enough time sparring with her here to know that her powers of recall are in good order."

The Scottish Conservative group leader asks if Ms Sturgeon's "sudden memory loss" was because she did not want to compromise her role as first minister.

Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government put a procedure in place in the wake of the #MeToo movement which was "the right thing to do".

She adds instead of complaints being swept under the carpet because they would have been "inconvenient for my government because of who they were about" they were investigated.

Ms Sturgeon adds: "I understand why it may suit some people to say this was some great conspiracy.

"I'm no entirely sure why anybody still in possession of their own critical faculties would see this as anything other than complaints being investigated and everybody trying to so the right thing in very difficult circumstances."