Covid: What does Scotland's five-level alert system mean?
Two million people in Scotland will be living under near lockdown-measures from Friday evening after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced 11 council areas will move into the country's toughest tier of coronavirus restrictions.
Ms Sturgeon said that moving parts of west and central Scotland from Level 3 to Level 4 for three weeks was "unpalatable but necessary" as infections remained “stubbornly and worryingly high”.
Measures in Midlothian and East Lothian will have their Covid-19 restrictions eased as they move from Level 3 to Level 2 while the remaining 19 council areas will not change.
Level 1 and Level 2 are the closest to normal the country can be without effective treatment or a vaccine, while the highest grade - which millions of people will shortly be living in - are more similar to a full lockdown.
The middle in Scotland is broadly similar to the English system, where areas are classed as either “medium”, “high” or “very high” risk.
Scotland's 5-level system to control Covid-19 explained
Level 0/Baseline:
Level 0 sees most businesses open and eight people from three households able to meet indoors.
Level 1:
Level 1 is split into two parts, with people who live on Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Na h-Eileanan Siar able to meet another household indoors, in a private home or in a public place such as a bar, pub, café or restaurant. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors is six which can be from up to two separate households.
Those in other parts of Level 1 should not meet people who are not part of their household indoors in a private home, but they can meet another household indoors in a public place such as a bar, pub, café or restaurant.
Restrictions around outdoor socialising for those in Level 1 are to be extended to allow eight people from three households to meet outdoors. Previously only six people from two households were permitted to meet outdoors.
Level 2:
People who live in these areas should avoid meeting anyone who is not in their household indoors in a private home. They can meet another household indoors in a public place such as a café or restaurant up to a maximum of six from two households.
Level 2 allows people to meet other households outdoors in a private garden or in a public place such as a park or a beer garden in groups of no larger than six from two separate households.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can stay open but alcohol can only be served with a meal. Pubs, bar and restaurants must close by 8pm.
Level 3:
People in Level 3 can meet those from other households outdoors in a private garden or in a public place such as a park or an outdoor area of a pub, again, up to a maximum of six people from two separate households. You can also meet people indoors in a bar, pub or restaurants, but the hospitality sector is subject to tough regulations.
Alcohol is banned and all venues must be closed by 6pm.
Level 4:
The highest tier is the closest to the full lockdown seen in March, including the closure of non-essential shops.
Six people from two households will still be able to meet outdoors - including in a private garden - and you can meet another household indoors in a public place (again, up to six of you and from no more than two households).
Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars are closed under Level 4 restrictions although takeaways are allowed. Only essential retail will be able to remain open in Level 4 and all holiday accommodation is closed to tourism.
Only five people are allowed at weddings while gyms and all leisure venues are closed. Only essential indoor workplaces, outdoor building and manufacturing allowed.
Schools stay open across all levels.
Travel restrictions will be put into law to prevent people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 local authority area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose - such as work or caring responsibilities.
Level 2 and 3 measures are intended to be in place for relatively short periods - between two and four weeks - only for as long as required to get the virus down to a low, sustainable level.