The first minister's statement is next...published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Image source, PA MediaNicola Sturgeon will begin her statement around 2.20pm
Nicola Sturgeon will now announce the review of Covid restrictions.
Summary
A UK-wide agreement for three households to meet indoors between 23 to 27 December has been made
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the four nations had agreed a relaxation of the rules for Christmas
But she made clear that the rules would not be eased for Hogmanay
Ms Sturgeon explained: "The last thing we want to do right now is set our progress back and negate all of these hard sacrifices we have made in the last eight months."
In the past 24 hours, 771 new coronavirus cases were logged. Over the same period, 41 deaths of people who had tested positive have been registered
Except for East Lothian going from level three to level two at 6pm, all other local authorities will remain in their existing tier
Midlothian had hoped to go down to level two today, but the Scottish government has put that move on hold after a rise in cases
The first minister's statement is next...published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Covid in Scotland: The headlinespublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
- Nicola Sturgeon will shortly announce the review of Covid restrictions, although she has warned people not to expect "much if any change"
- Plans to move Midlothian from level three to level two of the Covid restrictions have been postponed due to an increase in case numbers
- East Lothian moved to level two from 06:00 this morning
- A hospital employee has died amid a Covid-19 outbreak at the unit where he worked in Dundee
- The number of patients treated within 18 weeks of referral has fallen by more than half compared with the same time last year
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, There is a backlog of patients around Scotland following the lockdown in the spring
- Scotland's largest teaching union has said there is "clear support" among its members for industrial action over over Covid safety concerns in some schools
- The first minister says progress is being made in talks on easing Covid rules at Christmas but does not expect a similar relaxation at Hogmanay
- Opposition parties are demanding a complete ban on discharging patients to care homes without two negative tests
Topical question on discharge of patients with Covid to care homespublished at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Labour MSP Neil Findlay raises concerns about the discharging of patients to care homes without two negative tests, during topical questions.
The two test policy was introduced in April, but the health secretary has confirmed such discharges are still allowed.
Jeane Freeman said it was "right and proper" that clinicians had the final say in exceptional cases.
The health secretary today says the length of time people cannot visit a care home where a Covid case has been identified is being looked at.
Covid in Scotland: Rules, regulations and advicepublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
1. Scottish government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and cannot do, external
2. Postcode checker, external for COVID restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
If you have Covid-19 symptoms go immediately to NHS Inform online or phone 0800 028 2816 to book a test
The latest from NHS Scotland and the Scottish government, including social distancing, face covering and stay at home advice.
7. The ready.scot, external website
It has been updated with the latest help and advice and how you can help others. The helpline number remains: 0800 111 4000
8. The Clear Your Head website, external
It's ok to not feel yourself right now, here are some tips to help get you through the pandemic.
.BBC Scotland articles:
Covid-19 costs sport in excess of £100mpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Image source, BBcImage caption, Football clubs in Tier One council areas - like Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle - are allowed up to 300 fans
The coronavirus pandemic has cost Scottish spectator sport in excess of £100 million so far, with that figure rising by the day.
BBC Scotland understands those are the numbers put forward to the Scottish government by Sportscotland who have been told by a number of organisations that money is needed now to help safeguard jobs and stop some clubs going under.
Scottish football alone say the impact, to date, for the national game has been £70 million and could rise to £100 million.
Rugby and horse racing say they are also losing millions of pounds due to the pandemic.
The Scottish government is working on a funding package similar to the emergency sport package announced by Westminster, for English sport, last week.
Christmas update...published at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
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End of twitter postFew changes expected in review of levelspublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Image source, PA MediaScotland's local Covid-19 alert levels are due to be reviewed, although First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she does not expect "much, if any, change".
Where each local authority area sits in the five-level system is reviewed every Tuesday ahead of an update at Holyrood.
No areas are expected to be moved up a level, with 11 central belt councils to remain in level four until 11 December.
Ms Sturgeon said the "overwhelming majority" of areas were likely to remain at their current level.
East Lothian moved down to level two at 06:00 on Tuesday, but Midlothian is to be held at level three due to concerns about a rise in cases in recent days.
Coming up at Holyrood:published at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
- 2.05-2.20pm Topical Questions: Today ministers are quizzed on the testing of patients being discharged from hospital to a care home and Christmas plans
- 2.20-3.05pm Ministerial Statement: COVID-19: Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs on the review of Covid alert levels
- 3.05-5.00pm Health and Sport Committee Debate: The Supply and Demand for Medicines
- 5.00-5.55pm Stage 3 Consideration of Amendments: The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
- 5.55-6.45pm Stage 3 Debate: The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
- 6.45pm: Decision time
- 6.45pm: Members' Business: National Adoption Week 2020
Good afternoonpublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 24 November 2020
Image source, PA MediaGood afternoon and welcome to BBC Scotland's rolling coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland on Tuesday 24 November 2020.
Nicola Sturgeon will deliver an update on the latest review of Scotland's restriction levels from about 14:20.
The first minister has already said she doesn't expect "much if any change".
Before the statement are topical questions on the testing of patients being discharged from hospital to a care home and Christmas plans.