First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will give her weekly Covid update in parliament this afternoon, but what is she expected to say?
Daily Covid case rates are still in their thousands, but Ms Sturgeon is likely discuss the government’s next steps in easing restrictions.
Restrictions that remain in place include table service in bars and restaurants and the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces.
During previous briefings, the first minister said she hoped more restrictions could be lifted from Monday, January 24.
Will there be changes to Covid restrictions?
This week, restrictions were lifted on the number of spectators allowed at outdoor events.
Hospitality is expected to be the next focus, with many in the industry calling for rules to be relaxed in recent weeks.
Bars and restaurants currently restricted to table service only and many nightclubs unable to open at all.
With businesses across the north and north-east struggling amidst ongoing restrictions, today’s update should provide clarity on how much longer they will be in place for.
Another area which is expected to be discussed is shortening the period of time people who test positive for Covid have to self-isolate for.
This was recently cut from 10 days to seven days, but the first minister has been urged to consider shortening this even more to five days to help with staff shortages across multiple sectors.
Covid likely to stay with us for ‘foreseeable future’
Linda Bauld, who is a professor of public health at Edinburgh University and a Scottish Government advisor, believes the current signs from Omicron are “encouraging” – but warned scientists would continue to be “anxious” about Covid for the foreseeable future.
The health expert, who was speaking to BBC Radio Scotland in a personal capacity, explained the doubling time for the latest Covid variant had already increased from two days to more than four days.
However, she warned countries including France were still seeing increasing numbers.
Ms Bauld said a fourth booster or annual vaccination similar to the flu programme may be required in the future – but also highlighted a vaccine to cover multiple strains may also be developed.
The academic said she hoped changes to rules would be introduced in the coming weeks, but explained she believed some would still be necessary.
She said: “The first thing is to maintain the public health infrastructure, so that’s testing, contact tracing and advice to people on isolation.
“The second is to really empower people to judge more themselves what situations they feel comfortable in and judge what their personal risk is. I think people will be cautious and recognise need for continued face coverings.
“The third one is the pharmacological aspect. So, the vaccines we will continue to need, the vaccines in the future and other treatments. That third pillar is going to continue to be vitally important.
“We are emerging from a really difficult stage. I think this is a pandemic that will continue to be with us for the foreseeable future.
“People like me and the chief medical officer will be anxiously scanning the horizon for a threat coming down the track we need to be prepared for again.
“I think this year we will still need to be very alert, and we need to vaccinate the world.
“We are getting through it and the big change is we know what to do now.”
Where and when can you watch Nicola Sturgeon’s the briefing?
The Covid update from Nicola Sturgeon will be streamed live on Scottish Parliament TV and you can follow along on our live blog.
It is expected to begin at around 2.15pm after topical questions.