The First Minister has announced that from midnight tonight, until the end of January, there will be a legal requirement to stay at home in Scotland.

This is similar to the lockdown back in March last year.

Schools will be closed to most pupils until February 1.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the cabinet had met early today as the situation is "extremely serious". 

It means those in level four areas will have additional restrictions from midnight tonight. 

It will be a legal requirement to 'stay at home' apart from essential reasons. 

You must stay at home apart from going shopping, exercising or visiting your extended household.

People should not go to their workplace unless they have a reasonable excuse.

Those who were shielding should not go to work. 

Outdoor exercise has also been further limited. A maximum of two people from two households can meet up outdoors. This does not include children. 

Unlike the last lockdown, the frequency of outdoor exercise is not being limited. 

Strict travel restrictions still remain in place. 

Places of worship have also been told that they must close. 

Ms Sturgeon compared the situation to being a race as the government try to roll out the vaccine quicker and the virus spreaders quicker.

"We must slow the virus down," she said. 

She added that she was more concerned now than any amount she was back in March at the start of the pandemic. 

"The evidence is now compelling that the new variant is up to 70% more transmissible than previously circulating strains, and that it may add as much as 0.7 to the R number," Ms Sturgeon added.

"And according to recent analysis of PCR test samples, it appears that the new variant already accounts for almost half of all new cases in Scotland.

"That increased faster spread is undoubtedly driving the very serious situation we now face.

"The total number of Covid patients in hospital is close to its April peak."

The closure of schools will be reviewed in mid-January. 

Ms Sturgeon added: "I want to be clear that it remains our priority to get school buildings open again for all pupils as quickly as possible and then keep them open.

"However, right now, two factors mean that it is not consistent with a safety-first approach for all children to attend school in person.

"First, the overall level of community transmission is too high. We need to get transmission down before schools can safely reopen. A period of online learning will also, in turn, help us do that.

"The second reason is that there is still significant uncertainty about the impact of the new variant on transmission amongst young people.

"We therefore have to adopt a cautious approach.

"So most pupils will be learning online for at least the rest of the month."

Cowdenbeath MSP Anabelle Ewing commented: “I know how difficult this further lockdown will be for everyone - but it is absolutely necessary to bring this killer virus under control.

“If the country does not act now then we risk the NHS being overwhelmed and even more people will die because of this virus.

“This is no theoretical risk – it is the desperate reality Scotland faces now and over the coming weeks.

“That means everyone must play their part in a national fightback by sticking to both the letter and the spirit of the new rules. Please do not go looking for loopholes. Stay at home and don’t go out unless it is entirely necessary. And do not travel beyond Fife if you are going out to exercise.

“If your usual exercise spot is busy, don’t add to the crowd. Try somewhere else close by where you are not giving the virus more opportunities to spread.

“We know there is renewed hope with the rollout beginning of a second vaccine. Vaccines will be delivered as widely and as fast as possible - but they can’t protect us all yet.

“So, we must not let our guard down. Instead, we must re-double our vigilance and stick even more tightly to these toughened new rules.

“I know these sacrifices are very difficult but they will not be in place for a moment longer than absolutely necessary. But, unfortunately, they are currently more vital than ever.

“I know everyone in my Cowdenbeath constituency will play their part in this national effort and together we will get through this.

“So, please, stick to the rules: Stay Home. Save lives. Protect the NHS.”