Size of indoor gatherings could be restricted further in Scotland

The first minister has hinted that the size of indoor gatherings allowed in Scotland could be reduced when lockdown restrictions are reviewed tomorrow.

As things stand, up to eight people from up to three different households can meet in houses and hospitality venues.

But England has made it the law that no more than six people can meet indoors from Monday - due to concerns about the spread of the virus - having previously allowed up to 30.

Nicola Sturgeon says a similar move could be on the cards here.

At her daily briefing she said: "It is not an exaggeration to say that Scotland is currently at a very dangerous point - so too is the UK as a whole and many other countries across the world.

"We can see from the level of cases in countries like Spain and France that the current increase in cases could very easily continue, and also start to translate into serious illnesses and deaths if we are not very careful.

"And having rightly opened up schools, we are now about to welcome students back to colleges and universities - and that is, in so many ways, not just a welcome step but a necessary step for the wellbeing of our young people.

"But it is also a risky development, and that's why tomorrow's review of the lockdown regulations - which I'll set out in parliament - is likely, based on all of the recent data, to take a very cautious approach to any further changes.

"In fact, we can't rule out the need to make changes to the numbers of people allowed to gather together like those that were allowed for England last night.

"We're carefully reviewing existing guidance and regulation, as well as considering what new steps may be necessary to keep Covid under control."

A total of 159 people tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland yesterday - which is 1.9% of those tested.

Ms Sturgeon says that over the last three weeks, the average number of cases confirmed daily has risen threefold.

Meanwhile two deaths were recorded in the country last week where someone either tested positive for Covid-19, or the virus was suspected as being an underlying cause - but for the first time since the pandemic started, none were registered in care homes.