Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson asks how a vaccine for Covid-19 would be delivered when it becomes available. She asks if all Scotland’s health boards are ready.

The first minister says the health secretary will set out over the next few weeks more details on how the vaccine programme will be rolled out.

“In short, yes, we are confident that health boards will be at a readiness to deliver that,” Ms Sturgeon says.

She adds there would be a nationally co-ordinated approach, though delivery will be health board-led.

“This is going to be one of the biggest vaccination programmes that we have ever undertaken,” she says.

The first minister draws to a close by saying: "Let’s not forget that glimmer of hope.

"The sacrifices we make do have an impact and are having an impact.

"And yesterday’s announcement about a vaccine is the best news we have heard since the start of this pandemic."

She insists now is the time to do everything we can to look after, and look out for, each other.

The first minister says we can look forward to brighter days in the spring.

As ever, she urges us all to remember FACTS:

Image source, Scottish government

Image source, PA Media

The government will not hesitate to move the travel restrictions into law if it is deemed necessary, warns the first minister.

She says that won't be required if people abide by the guidelines:

• If you live in a level 3 council area, do not travel outside your own local authority area unless it is for essential purposes
• If you live elsewhere, do not travel into a level 3 area, except for those same essential purposes
• Do not travel outside of Scotland unless essential

The first minister insists: "The best chance all of us have of avoiding a move to level 4 or indeed of moving our area down a level is to stick with it and abide by all of the current restrictions."

She calls on us all to redouble our efforts in the days ahead.

"In particular, please do not visit other people’s houses."

Image source, PA Media

The first minister says there are some areas in level 3 where a sharp rise in cases is being seen.

There is particular concern about Inverclyde and Stirling and, to a lesser extent, South Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

Ms Sturgeon says the government won't move any area to level 4 lightly, however it will not shy away from doing so if necessary.

Image source, Getty Images

Cases have stabilised in Glasgow and North and South Lanarkshire, but along with West Lothian and West Dunbartonshire they remain at a "stubbornly high level".

The first minister says the government must consider in the next days whether more time in level 3 will start to reduce cases in these areas, or whether that will require more action.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister says the most recent data shows cases and test positivity declining in Dundee.

She confirms the other 18 local authorities currently at level 3 will remain there for now.

The first minister warns a move to level 4 for some in the near future cannot be ruled out,.

She highlights positive signs in East Lothian, City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Midlothian and North and East Ayrshire.

Some of these areas may be able to move out of level 3 soon, she says.

The first minister confirms the decision to move Fife, Perth & Kinross and Angus to level 3 from Friday.

"All three areas are on a sharply rising trajectory," explains the first minister.

"I would ask people living in these areas to check the Scottish government website to understand the restrictions in place at level 3."

The first minister turns to those areas currently in level 2.

Ms Sturgeon tells the chamber: "I can confirm that Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Argyll & Bute will all remain at Level 2."

These are all areas that will be hopeful of a move to level 1 soon, she adds.

There is not yet sufficient evidence of a sustained decline in the number of cases in these areas.

Image source, getty

The first minister explains the government will be issuing clear guidance advising anyone who goes to or returns to the islands from the mainland to avoid in-house mixing for a period after their return.

Ms Sturgeon adds: "Unfortunately, we do not yet consider it prudent to lift this restriction for people living in Highland and Moray, the other level 1 areas."

She says people living across the Highlands and in Moray should not visit each other’s homes - except for essential purposes, such as childcare, looking after a vulnerable person or being part of an extended household.

It remains the single most effective way of preventing the spread of the virus from one household to another, she adds.

Image source, AFP

Ms Sturgeon confirms that Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles will remain at level 1.

The first minister says restrictions still in place must be adhered to, and all necessary precautions taken in workplaces, hospitality, schools and colleges, and health care settings.

She confirms that from Friday, residents of those three island authorities will be able to meet with one other household inside their homes - up to a strict maximum of six people.

The first minister says: "It would clearly not be prudent to ease restrictions today - with one exception for our 3 island authorities, which I will set out shortly.

Ms Sturgeon confirms:

• no local authority will move down a level this week
• three local authorities will move up from level 2 to level 3
• no local authority will move to level 4 this week

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister says it is down to all of us to keep the virus under control and save lives, by sticking to the rules and guidance.

Ms Sturgeon insists people's sacrifices are saving lives.

She says the number of new cases has stayed at more or less the same level.

There have also been some signs of a fall in hospital admissions, adds the first minister.

"So there is no doubt that the restrictions we have put in place have dramatically slowed the spread of the virus."

The first minister warns we are not yet seeing a sustained fall in cases.

"We want to see a decline in cases."

The first minister says: "In light of particularly sharp increases in cases, three local authorities will move up from level 2 to level 3."

These are:

Fife, Perth & Kinross and Angus

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Argyll & Bute will all remain at Level 2.

Ms Sturgeon says there is one restriction that she intends to ease for people living in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.

From Friday, residents in those three island authority areas will be able to meet with one other household inside their homes, up to a strict maximum of six people.

Image source, Getty Images

The first minister says there are tough times ahead - but also grounds for optimism.

Ms Sturgeon says: "We are not at the end of the tunnel yet, but a glimmer of light has appeared."

The first minister says yesterday’s news from the Pfizer vaccine trial was "extremely encouraging".

"This was the most positive indication yet that science will get us out of this."

Ms Sturgeon says no local authority will move down a level this week.

Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles will remain at level 1.

No local authority will move to level 4 this week.

But the first minister says there are a number that are giving some cause for concern and she will be monitoring these particularly closely over the next few days.

1,239 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up 12), with 102 being treated in intensive care (down three).

A further 39 people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 3,079 deaths in Scotland by that measure.

The first minister says more than 300 people have died in the past few weeks and she expresses her condolences to all who have lost a loved one.