NICOLA Sturgeon is set to make a major Covid-19 announcement this week as Parliament is recalled.
MSPs will break from their winter recess on Wednesday as the First Minister updates them on the pandemic.
Holyrood may also been recalled again in the new year, it has been reported.
It comes as provisional data suggests Scotland recorded its three highest ever daily case totals over Christmas.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon issues warning as Scotland records highest ever Covid figures
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone confirmed MSPs will be asked to agree to sit on December 29 and potentially on January 5.
It is not yet known whether Sturgeon is considering the introduction of stricter Covid measures after her government reimposed some rules in recent days.
As of Monday (December 27), nightclubs were closed and hospitality businesses returned to offering only table service if serving alcohol.
Bars, restaurants and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms, theatres and museums also have to reinstate one-metre social distancing regulations.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson to resist calls for new Covid restrictions in England
The restrictions come after caps were placed on large events from Sunday.
The First Minister announced last week that just 100 people would be able to attend a standing indoor event and 200 seated.
Outdoor events will also be restricted to 500 – a rule which has hit football games hardest.
Scottish football authorities took the decision to bring forward the planned winter break, meaning just one game will be played with the reduced number of fans.
The restrictions will be reviewed every three weeks, according to the Scottish Government.
Sturgeon is scheduled to make her announcement at 2pm on Wednesday December 29. Her statement will be followed by questions from MSPs.
The proceedings will be held virtually as Holyrood takes steps to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.
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