Nicola Sturgeon will reveal today if Scotland is to reduce the number of people who can meet in groups as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The First Minister will formally announce the latest review of lockdown restrictions to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
She has already warned that her latest review was “likely to take a very cautious approach” with cases of coronavirus on the rise across the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Wednesday that people in England “must not meet socially in groups of more than six” from Monday.
Sturgeon said she couldn’t rule out making similar changes to the number of people allowed to gather together in Scotland.
She said: “We can’t rule out the need to make changes to the number of people allowed to gather together like those that were announced for England.
“We’re carefully reviewing existing guidance and regulation, as well as considering what new steps may be necessary to keep Covid under control.”
Her comments came after the figures showed the average number of cases being reported over the past seven days had increased to 155 a day, up from 52 a day three weeks ago.
In Scotland the current advice is no more than eight people, from three different households can meet indoors – whereas up to 15 people from five households can meet up outside.
At her last review of lockdown, Sturgeon had indicated that sports stadia and some other venues that have remained closed may be able to reopen again from next week.
Theatres, music venues and comedy clubs had been slated for a reopening date of September 14.
But she warned this week that it may not be possible to proceed with some relaxations, given the rise in case numbers.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
