Here's what we learned from today's coronavirus briefing.

• 18 more deaths of those with Covid have been registered in the last 24 hours.
• 1,401 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed.

• The levels of restrictions have been set out: 0 - closest to normality without vaccine; 1 - indoor meetings allowed as prevalence low; 2 - no indoor mixing, hospitality limits; 3 - similar to current central belt restrictions; 4 - close to full lockdown.
• Next week, local authorities will be assigned to a level of restrictions.
• Those who were sent a shielding letter earlier in the pandemic should still follow the same advice as the general population, but there will be additional advice published later today.

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• The Scottish government is to make grants available to businesses affected by the restrictions
• The effect of the household visiting and hospitality restrictions are starting to have an effect on the transmission of the virus.

That's all from today's live coverage of - and reaction to - the first minister's briefing. Stay safe everyone.

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A hospitality body has described the government's new financial support package as welcome in the short-term - but "the equivalent of being abandoned at sea with only a lifejacket".

The Scottish Hospitality Group said the current approach was having a "devastating" impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.

And it warned the new tiered system of restrictions would only add to the problem.

Spokesman Stephen Montgomery said: "The industry cannot survive if the intention is to impose these restrictions indefinitely.

"They (the Scottish government) need to sit down and work with businesses before it is too late and save an industry that is the third biggest employer in the country.

"The hospitality industry is still left bearing the brunt with no scientific, statistical, or medical evidence for these restrictions."

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A think tank set up to look at helping the tourism sector recover from the coronavirus pandemic has published its recommendations., external

The Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce looked at what priority rescue measures both the Scottish and UK governments could take to bolster recovery.

Its recommendations include:

• working closely with the sector on necessary planning, advice and adequate compensation packages if evidence-based restrictions are required
• facilitating international travel by progressing alternative options for robust Covid-19 testing regimes
• developing a package of short-term measures, including marketing support and sectoral advice via VisitScotland to boost demand and increase visitor confidence
• extending the Business Rates Holiday for specific, affected sectors and regions by another year
• creation of a skills development package to retain talent and enhance staff leadership skills

The findings will now be considered by the Scottish government.

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Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has revealed the details of grants available to businesses required to close for Covid reasons.

From 2 November, firms told to close will be eligible for grants every four weeks for as long as the restrictions last. Based on rateable values, awards will be for either £2,000 or £3,000.

Businesses which can remain open, but are directly constrained by the measures, will be eligible for grants worth £1,400 or £2,100, again based on rateable value.

Ms Hyslop said this support was "the maximum we can afford under our current powers and the resources available".

It matches the level of support available in England for larger businesses and is more generous to smaller businesses.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

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Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled increased support for jobs and workers hit by Covid restrictions.

But which parts of his announcement apply in Scotland, and will the Scottish government be seeing extra funding for its own schemes?

Read our full explainer here.

Before the new framework begins on 2 November, businesses need "as much clarity on restrictions on trading as is possible", according to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

The business body welcomed the new strategic framework, saying it gave companies an opportunity to begin reopening the economy, but said the Scottish government must continue publishing evidence-led data alongside restrictions.

Chief executive Dr Liz Cameron said: “It is in the best interests of the people of Scotland that businesses are trusted to trade in order to avoid the worst outcomes of widespread joblessness and economic decline.

“The support available for business will be essential as restrictions continue and we urge governments to ensure it is allocated efficiently and effectively over the coming weeks and months."

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If you are just joining us this lunchtime, here are the most recent updates from around the UK:

• First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a new five-tier system of restrictions in Scotland, coming into force on Monday 2 November
• Infections continue to rise across the UK, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics
• Wales' 17-day "firebreak" lockdown will start at 1800 BST, with the first minister describing it as a "short sharp shock" to save lives
• Cabinet minister Stephen Barclay said there was a "common purpose in England to get the virus down" so people could enjoy Christmas
• Greater Manchester joined the highest tier of restrictions in England
• Warrington confirms it will move to England's highest tier from next week as talks continue with Nottingham about a similar move
• The organisers of the Chelsea Flower Show announce plans to bring it back next year with measures to protect visitors from coronavirus

Earlier, we reported that coronavirus infections across the UK are continuing to rise, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

It's important to also note that new government data shows the reproduction rate of the virus in the UK has fallen slightly.

The estimate for the R number is between 1.2 and 1.4, according to data released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).

Last week, the R number was between 1.3 and 1.5.

R represents the average number of people each Covid-19 positive person goes on to infect.

When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially.

An R number between 1.2 and 1.4 means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 14 other people.

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Closing non-essential shop in the highest level of restrictions would come with "very significant economic harms", the Scottish Retail Consortium has warned.

Director David Lonsdale said: "Retail has demonstrated that it can operate safely in the current environment and it is notable that there was no spike in infections following the lifting of lockdown on non-essential shops at the end of June.

“Scottish stores lost £2.4bn of retail sales over the first seven months of the pandemic and have yet to claw their way back to pre-crisis levels. Any attempt to close non-essential stores during the golden Christmas shopping quarter may mean many are unable to reopen, having missed out on this vital trading period."

Mr Lonsdale added that the government must weigh up the public health advice "which admits to the minimal impact on reducing transmission" against the "catastrophic effect" the closure would have on businesses.

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There are so many questions that need to be answered about the Scottish government's Covid levels framework, the Scottish Lib Dems have said.

Willie Rennie said his party wanted to be able to support the strategy. However, he said more clarity was needed on what the criteria was for ares to move between levels.

He criticised "open-ended, rolling limits that are so vague that only a small number of people in government HQ can understand".

“The Scottish government has got three days to convince people that this strategy has got hope and clarity at its heart and the ability to lift us safely out of this second crisis," he said.

He added that the public needed certainty that their sacrifices will make a difference and that their freedoms will be returned.

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Scottish Labour has warned there is a danger of confusion with the new framework.

Party leader Richard Leonard says that with the potential for different areas of the country to be under different regulations, there exists a "real danger" people will not understand what restrictions they are under - and for how long - and so putting health at risk.

He said that there was a need for the Scottish government to provide clarity for the public and businesses.

Mr Leonard also said it is "paramount" that businesses and workers get the support they need.

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What Level am I in? What does it mean for me? What happens next?

If you want to read the full document: Scotland's Strategic Framework, you will find it here, external.

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The deputy chief medical officer issues a warning as she says NHS Lanarkshire has seen cases rising.

If this happened across the country it would be very concerning, she says, as it would mean that no health boards would have the capacity to help out those neighbouring them.

Dr Nicola Steedman said: "When we see one board with cases rising, if other boards are in the position to provide mutual aid that's great.

"But if we all end up in the same position, then there's no mutual aid to give and that's when we run intothe real risk of the NHS being overwhelmed."

She added that the situation within the NHS Lanarkshire area was not being taken lightly, and that it was a "warning sign to all of us" to show what could happen if the spread of the virus was not curtailed.

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The Scottish government has published details of a new five-tier alert system of Covid-19 restrictions.

It will allow the government to impose different restrictions in local areas, depending on the prevalence of the infection.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would mean a part of the country with low rates would not have to live with the same restrictions as one with a high rate.

• Scotland to enter new five-tier Covid alert system

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross tells BBC Scotland it is interesting that business leaders are to be consulted on restrictions and financial help and that he has been calling for this for "a long time".

He says he is concerned the Scottish government seemed to be "looking for fights" with the UK government over funding when £700m has been made available by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Mr Ross wants to see that money distributed to businesses as soon as possible.

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