Nicola Sturgeon update today: what time will the first minister reveal details of 5 tier system for Scotland - and how to watch live

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will address the nation today to lay out the next stage of tiered Covid restrictions for Scotland.

Unlike the tiered system in place across England, Scotland’s system is expected to have five tiers, with different measures that can be implemented regionally and nationally depending on the rate of infection.

Will the current restrictions be extended?

Originally brought in on 9 October to stem the rising ride of infections across the country, the restrictions were initially slated to end this Sunday (25 October) but Ms Sturgeon confirmed earlier this week that the existing restrictions will remain in place until 2 November, when the new tiered system will take effect.

The First Minister announced on Tuesday (20 October) that a new tiered system of restrictions will come into effect in Scotland on 2 November if the measure is approved by parliament.

Under the restrictions which are currently in place, bars and incensed restaurants in the five health board areas making up the central belt - Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley - have been forced to close, other than for takeaway service.

Hospitality venues in the rest of Scotland can only serve indoor customers between 6am and 6pm, with no alcohol to be sold inside.

These venues can still serve alcohol outdoors though, up until 10pm.

What will the tiered restrictions involve?

It is not yet clear exactly what the new tiered system of restrictions will involve, although the First Minister did say that some areas may face stricter measures than are currently in force in the central belt.

It has been confirmed that the system will include five tiers, as opposed to the three tiers in England.

It is thought that the three tiers used in England, “medium”, “high” and “very high”, will be similar to the middle three tiers of the Scottish system.

It is expected that there will be a level below them which will be “the closest to normality that we can reasonably expect” according to Ms Sturgeon.

There will also be a tier above England’s “very high”, which will include the strictest restrictions seen since March.

Ms Sturgeon said: "When England published their [system] the chief medical officer in England at the time said he thought the top level was not enough to necessarily, in all circumstances, get the virus down. So we think we need one above that which is closer to a full lockdown if things got to be that serious."

The Scottish Conservatives called for at least a week’s gap between the different measures, in order to give businesses time to adjust.

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Douglas Ross, said: “The need for any continuing restrictions is of course deeply regrettable, but we are at risk of seeing the SNP repeat the same mistakes of two weeks ago, with businesses given very little time to adapt to changing conditions.

“Many pubs and restaurants will have expected to reopen on Monday and that is now in serious doubt.

“The SNP must have known for some time that they may have had to extend the restrictions over this interim period, so should have confirmed this sooner.

“Scottish businesses are being let down again by confusing guidance and rushed timelines.”

What time will she speak and how can I watch?

The first minister made her announcement at around 12:15 today (21 October).

You can watch the statement on BBC Scotland, here.