Jason Leitch

Margaret Wilson receiving her MBE at the Palace of Holyrood. Pic: Contributed

MBE for volunteer mum

Jason Leitch has said that the day when school children will be able to stop wearing masks "is coming". Picture: PA

Leitch says 'day is coming' when school children no longer have to wear masks

Staff at University Hospital Monklands attend to a Covid-positive patient on the ICU ward on February 5, 2021 in Airdrie, Scotland. TPhoto by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Fewer than half of Covid hospitalisations 'because of' virus, report suggests

Deputy First Minister John Swinney updates MSPs on any changes to the Covid-19 restrictions in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture date: Tuesday November 9, 2021.

Swinney confident NHS services sustainable despite ‘intense pressure’

Pictured back row: Junior proxime accessits Kimberley Crawford, Jess Mooney and Amy Callaghan. Front row: Junior duxes Molly McGhee, Amy Millar, and Timea Csicsvakova. Not pictured Megan Donaldson, junior proxime accessit.

Falkirk's St Mungo's RC High School junior prize winners 2020/21

Pictured back row: James Carter, proxime accessit; Alicia Thom, proxime accessit; Iman Bhatti, proxime accessit; Kimberley Crawford, junior proxime accessit; Amy Callaghan, junior proxime accessit; and Jess Mooney, junior proxime accessit. Not pictured Megan Donaldson, junior proxime accessit. Front row: Reece Scott, Dux; Caitlin Jamieson, Dux; Amy Millar, junior Dux; Molly McGhee, junior Dux and Timea Csicsvakova, junior Dux. Pic: Michael Gillen.

Senior prizewinners at Falkirk's St Mungo's RC High 2020/21

A new record number of coronavirus cases have been identified in Scotland.

Six new Covid deaths as record-high daily cases surge past 4,000

Nicola Sturgeon will provide an update on lockdown and schools on Tuesday.

Nicola Sturgeon to give schools update

PIC LISA FERGUSON 17/11/2020

COVID 19, CORONS VIRUS - WEST LOTHIAN TO MOVE TO TIER 4 FROM TIER 3

COVID 19, CORONA VIRUS - Scotland's toughest Covid restrictions are to be introduced in 11 council areas - including Glasgow - on Friday.

The level four rules will see the closure of non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and gyms.

They will be imposed in East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.

North and South Lanarkshire, East and South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian will also move to level four.

The new rules will affect about 2.3 million people living across west and central Scotland, and will remain in place until 11 December.

However, East Lothian and Midlothian will move from level three to level two from next Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

Live updates on the Covid levels announcement

Has your area been put into the toughest level?

What are Scotland's level 4 restrictions?

What are the latest Covid rules in Scotland?

Ms Sturgeon also said the existing advice for people in level three or four not to travel outside their own council area except for "certain essential purposes" will become law from Friday.

This will also mean that people living elsewhere in Scotland must not travel to level three or level four areas, except for essential purposes, and there must be no non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK.

What do the level four rules mean?

You must not visit other people's homes, but can still meet outdoors with up to six people from two households

People should stay at or close to home as much as possible

Those who can work from home should do so - although construction and manufacturing workplaces can remain open

Only essential indoor retail premises will remain open

Close contact services, such as hairdressers and beauty salons, visitor attractions, leisure and entertainment settings and indoor gyms will close

With the except

400 new positive cases across the country and eight deaths

Professor Jason Leitch said travel restrictions are set to be lifted.

Jason Leitch reveals when travel restrictions to be lifted in Scotland

Coronavirus in Scotland

27 Covid deaths recorded in the last 24 hours

The return of some school pupils in Scotland could be announced by Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday.

Devi Sridhar: Urgent action needed for school pupils

The return of some school pupils in Scotland is set to be announced, as top adviser Professor Jason Leitch claims “progress” is being made against the coronavirus.

Return of some school pupils to be announced

Professor Jason Leitch.

Jason Leitch: Brazilian Covid variant a ‘concern’

Lauren Sinclair (red T-shirt), founder of the Worldwide Santa's Christmas Eve Jingle Facebook page, took part in the event with family, friends and neighbours. Picture: Michael Gillen.

Christmas Eve bell-ringing event raises more than £10,000

A member of the public wearing a face covering shopping on Buchanan Street in Glasgow, Scotland where severe lockdown restrictions have been announced for December and January with most of the country moving into the highest level of lockdown from Boxing Day.

Latest update on coronavirus figures in Scotland

Jason Leitch, Scotland's National Clinical Director picture: Scottish Government

Jason Leitch warns Scotland faces 'severe restrictions for a while'

National Clincial Director Jason Leitch outside St Andrew's House, Edinburgh.

Christmas bubbles in Scotland should not be used for parties, Jason Leitch says

Christmas will be virtual for many this year.

Coronavirus in Scotland: What are the new Christmas and Level Four restrictions?

Boxing Day shoppers are being told to avoid the sales.

Don't go to Boxing Day sales, health secretary warns

Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland could be set for another lockdown after Christmas

Post-Christmas lockdown option 'remains on the table' for Scotland

Professor Jason Leitch has advised against carol singing this Christmas.

Jason Leitch: 'Carol singing would worry me'

From wrapping paper to roast potatoes: experts share tips on having a Covid-safe...

Covid rules will be relaxed at Christmas

Scots urged to keep 'Christmas bubbles' to maximum of eight people

The idea of a normal Christmas is a "fiction" and Scots should prepare for digital celebrations, national clinical director Jason Leitch has said. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Scottish Government urged to agree coronavirus 'ceasefire' on Christmas Day

Love Falkirk pantry delivering food parcels. Lyn Walker, volunteer. (Pic: Michael Gillen)

INEOS funding for Falkirk church's frontline work in community during COVID

How different will Christmas Day dinner be this year?

'Digital Christmas' - Polarised reaction from readers to Jason Leitch's warning

Scotland's National Clinical Director Professor Jason Leitch.

Jason Leitch: Scots should celebrate Christmas 'digitally'

Halloween could be cancelled this year due to Covid-19

Parents unclear over Halloween guising plans for children

(Photo by Fraser Bremner - Pool/Getty Images)

Scotland could be gearing up for a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown - here’s what that...

On the evening of Thursday 24 September, it was announced that students in Scotland should not go to any pubs or restaurants, following a rise in coronavirus cases (Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

New guidance has been brought in for students in Scotland - here are the rules

Schools "haven't been taking any chances" when children become unwell

Attendance falls in Falkirk schools as pupils tested for Covid-19

Scottish children began returning to school on August 11 (Getty Images)

These are the Scottish schools with confirmed coronavirus cases - and if they re...

Just a call away...Parentline always has an influx of calls after the summer holidays but supervisor Ann Jarvis admits they have markedly increased this year.

Parent Club’s Back to School Hub is one-stop shop for parents

Life on the buses has changed during the coronavirus crisis

Now buses just pass us by say Falkirk key workers

Lockdown limitations on work for badge

Dr Carey Lunan and national clinical director Jason Leitch are urging the public to continue to raise any health concerns with their GP practice and community pharmacy.

NHS is open and here for you, so don’t ignore signs and symptoms

Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, is urging us all to keep following the advice to stay at home and help save lives.

We all need to play our part: By sticking at it, we can save lives