Nicola Sturgeon update: what time today is the First Minister’s speech - and will she announce a circuit-breaker lockdown?

The First Minister has said that further restrictions in Scotland may be necessary – here’s how you can watch her announcement

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to set out the details of the next steps the Scottish Government will take in its fight against coronavirus today.

Sturgeon met ministers and advisers to discuss whether further coronavirus restrictions are required in Scotland yesterday (6 October).

The First Minister then teased further measures at her Tuesday daily press briefing but ruled out a “circuit breaker” shutdown.

Nicola Sturgeon could be set to tighten instruction sin Scotland (Getty Images)

On Monday she said that it was "vital that we do everything we can" to stem the spread and that “not acting costs lives”.

The move comes as further restrictions were introduced in Ireland, including a ban on all indoor dining.

When could new measures be introduced by Nicola Sturgeon?

The First Minister is expected to set out the details of the next steps the Scottish Government will take at around 2.50pm.

The announcement will follow a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning when details of the new restrictions will be decided.

She will address assembled MSPs in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, and is expected to provide an update on new measures.

She said: "If we do decide more restrictions are necessary, I want to assure you that we will give the public and the parliament as much notice as possible.

"If we decide extra restrictions are necessary, it is because we deem it vital to get the virus under control and avoid unnecessary loss of life."

Four nation talks with the UK government took place on Monday.

Where can I watch it?

The First Minister’s address will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland and BBC One Scotland for television viewers.

You can also watch live on Scottish Parliament TV and follow the First Minister’s Live YouTube Stream as well as the Scottish Government's official Twitter page - @scotgov.

Sturgeon rules of circuit breaker lockdown

On Tuesday the First Minister wasn’t drawn on new measures, but ruled out some harsher measures.

She said: "We are not proposing another lockdown at this stage, not even on a temporary basis,” the First Minister said.

"We are not going to be asking you to stay inside your own homes in the same way we did back in March.

"And while we have been asking people to think carefully about non-essential travel, especially overseas and I would ask that again, and while restrictions on travel may be an option and sometimes be necessary for hotspot areas, we are not about to impose travel restrictions on the whole of the country.

She added: "We are not about to shut down the entire economy, we are not about to halt the remobilisation of the NHS, it is vital that the NHS is there for non-Covid conditions as well as there for anything that we have to deal with in relation to Covid.

"And apart from the October holidays that are already planned, we are not proposing to close schools, either wholly or even partially.”