Coronavirus in Scotland: When is Nicola Sturgeon's 'five tier' briefing? How can you watch it and what will she say?

Nicola Sturgeon will be updating the country on the latest coronavirus statistics and restrictions at a press conference held at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh.

When is the briefing and how can you watch it?

The First Minister will be hosting the press conference at 12.15pm where she will start by reading out the latest number of cases.

This press conference can be watched on the Scottish Government Twitter page or on BBC Scotland.

What is the First Minister likely to say?

Ms Sturgeon is expected to address the new five tier system that will be coming into effect in Scotland on November 2.

She said on Wednesday that the five-tiered approach was "very logical” and already applies in Ireland and New Zealand.

Nicola Sturgeon gives daily coronavirus updates from St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.

She continued: "Let me explain the logic for five tiers, which I think is very strong.

"The middle three tiers will be broadly - perhaps not absolutely - but broadly equivalent to the three tiers in England which they describe as medium, high and very high.

"We think we need one at the bottom, which is the level we would be aspiring to this side of getting a vaccine which is closest to normality, which we could reasonably expect to live with until we have a vaccine.”

Hospitality in the central belt will remain closed until the tier system comes into effect.

What questions will the First Minister be asked?

The closure of the hospitality industry was extended on Wednesday, and the First Minister expressed her frustration on Thursday evening about the UK Government’s increased funding to English regions to support closed businesses not being extended in Scotland.

This will more than likely be put to her during press questions.

Also, Professor Jason Leitch has warned of possible restrictions at Christmas time, saying that it could be a ‘digital Christmas’ with many needing to connect with family online rather than in person, and this is also likely to be raised.

The First Minister will be giving a weekend update on any guidelines or restrictions that will exist around Halloween and whether children will be allowed to go guising and no information on this is expected at Friday’s briefing.

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