Coronavirus in Falkirk: Forth Valley hit by new pub restrictions

The measures will come into force on Friday.

Ms Sturgeon said that due to the higher infection rate in the Central Belt area, tighter restrictions were needed in order to combat the spread of the virus.

Pubs in Greater Glasgow and the Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothians and Forth Valley have all been told to close their doors for two weeks from this Friday.

In these areas, all licensed premises - with the exception of hotels for residents - will be required to close indoors and outdoors, though takeaways will be permitted.

Snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will close for two weeks from Friday in the Central Belt.

It has also been confirmed that contact sports for age 18 and over will also be suspended for the next two weeks.

Outdoor live events will not be permitted in the Central Belt during this two week period.

Outside the Central Belt, hospitality outlets nationwide will be able to operate between 6am and 6pm to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Ms Sturgeon said the move was designed to prevent stricter measures in future.

She said: “So while the measures I announce today will feel like a backward step, they are in the interests of protecting our progress overall.

“It is by taking the tough but necessary action now, that we hope to avoid even tougher action in future.”