Covid update: Case numbers continue to rise across Scotland
In the last 24 hours there have been 2529 positive cases noted in Scotland, which equates to 14.8 per cent of all those tested.
Analysis of PCR samples shows the new variant accounts for around 50 per cent of cases and rising.
In the NHS Greater Glasgow area there were 695 cases, 388 in Lanarkshire, 322 in Lothian, 220 in NHS Grampian, 210 in Tayside with the rest spread across the country including NHS Highland which recorded 90 cases.
A total of 11 additional deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.
Speaking at the daily briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The situation is now more serious than in Spring as a result more people are more likely to become ill and the NHS will come under more pressure.
"We must all take this seriously but there is a positive difference in that vaccines have been approved for use and offer a way out of this pandemic.
"More than 100,000 people have already been vaccinated and by May we hope more the 2.5million will be.
"We will do all we can to speed that up and do it as quickly as possible based on the certainty of the flow of supplies.
"In the race between the vaccine and the virus we cannot rely solely on vaccination, we must also act to slow the virus down.
"The variant, because it spreads more quickly, slowing it down is more difficult and takes much stricter restrictions, which is why we have effectively set a new lockdown in place.
"Please stay at home, where possible it is the best way of saving lives.
"We have also introduced tighter restrictions on outdoor meetings - this rule applies to everyone aged 12 and over.
"Where there is a need for additional guidance we will also publish it.
On places of worship she said: "For people of faith this is a hard restriction to bear but we deem it essential but we will not keep them in place for any longer than necessary."
The move was not welcomed by Scottish Catholic Bishops who said in a statement today: "The Scottish Government believes that such measures are necessary to curtail the spread of this new strain during the roll-out of the vaccine.
"We appreciate the difficult choices facing the Scottish Government at this time and we have shown ourselves ready both to cooperate with and to support its efforts in protecting the common good. "This has included curtailing public worship in extreme circumstances and for a limited period.
"However, we are also perplexed by the decision, given that the stringent measures taken since last March to ensure public safety in our churches have been effective.
"No evidence has been forthcoming to justify the inclusion of places of worship as sources of infection.
"Without such scientific evidence these restrictions will appear to Catholics to be arbitrary and unfair.
"Moreover, a significant number of other sectors similarly restricted last March alongside public worship – such as construction, manufacturing and elite sports - have now been left free to continue in operation.
"We also note that, in England, the essential contribution of public worship to the spiritual welfare of all citizens during this crisis has now been endorsed by the decision not to close places of worship while the Scottish Government has apparently retreated from this view, causing dismay and confusion
"While we unequivocally share the common goal of protecting public health, we urge the Scottish Government, when the present measures are reviewed later in January, to reconsider these restrictions in the light of the above concerns.”
