This is everything you can and can't do in Edinburgh and the Lothians as of today

People across the Lothians will face different coronavirus restrictions today, with some seeing extra restrictions imposed, while others will have their lockdown eased early next week.

The new rules kick in from 6pm this evening, with the Level 4 restrictions lasting for three weeks.

Here is everything you need to know about the restrictions in your area.

What level is my region moving to?

Each level of Scotland’s regional lockdown system comes with different restrictions on things like household gatherings, travel, and which businesses can operate. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

You can use the Scottish Government’s postcode checker here to see which level your local authority is currently operating in.

Previously in Level 3, along with the City of Edinburgh and West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian will move into Level 2 from Tuesday, November 24.

The City of Edinburgh will remain in Level 3.

West Lothian, meanwhile, will enter Level 4 – and have the toughest restrictions imposed on it – from 6pm on Friday, November 20.

From 6pm this evening, 11 council areas in Scotland will be placed in Level 4 - the highest tier - for three weeks. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

It joins ten other local authorities being placed into Level 4 for the first time: Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Stirling.

What restrictions does each level come with?

Each level of Scotland’s regional lockdown system comes with different restrictions on things like household gatherings, travel, and which businesses can operate.

Level 2

Edinburgh remains in Level 3 along with Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

In-home socialising is prohibited, barring some exceptions including caring for a vulnerable person and for those in extended households.

Outdoor groups in public places are limited to six people from two households.

Cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls are the only leisure facilities allowed to remain open, with soft play, funfairs, indoor bowling, casinos, theatres, snooker or pool halls, music venues, nightclubs and adult entertainment venues all closed.

Only drive-in events are permitted, with indoor, outdoor and stadium events cancelled.

Protective measures are in place at public buildings while NHS services reduce face-to-face contact with patients.

Indoor hospitality venues must close from 8pm, with last entry at 7pm, and outdoor businesses shut at 10.30pm.

Level 3

Socialising rules remain the same as in Level 2, with guidance issued for only essential hotel use.

Drive-in events are no longer permitted and cinemas, arcades and bingo halls will also be closed.

Indoor exercise is limited to individual workouts, with outdoor contact sports for those over the age of 18 banned, except professional sports.

Hospitality businesses are prohibited from selling alcohol and must close at 6pm, with last entry at 5pm.

Level 4

While socialising will stay the same as Level 3, non-essential retail will be closed and the limit on numbers at weddings will drop to 15, with 20 allowed in places of worship and at funerals.

All hospitality will be closed, with only takeaway services permitted.

Gyms will again be closed and outdoor sport will be limited to non-contact only, though professional sport will continue.

Will schools stay open?

Schools in Scotland are set to stay open in all levels of the regional lockdown system.

Explaining the decision to keep children attending classes in person, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said schools were “not significant areas for transmission of the virus”.

“At this time the benefits that young people gain from being in school outweigh the overall impact of schools on transmission rates,” she added.

When do the new regional lockdown levels take effect?

For the areas heading into Level 4, the new rules come into force across Scotland from 6pm on Friday, November 20.

For those heading down a level, to Level 2, the changes will take effect from Tuesday, November 24.

Regions placed in Level 4 will face the toughest restrictions for a period of at least three weeks, according to the Scottish Government.

The measures are reviewed by the First Minister and her cabinet every week, on Tuesday morning.

Have the travel restrictions become law?

Existing guidance on moving in and out of areas with the greatest number of coronavirus cases would become law from 6pm on Friday.

Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon said: "To put it bluntly - and we will require to monitor this - if we see evidence that people from East or South Ayrshire are visiting places in North Ayrshire, or that people from Glasgow are going to Inverclyde, we would have no choice but to put these areas in level four too.

"So it is essential that we all abide by travel restrictions."

Scots who breach the travel ban could be issued with a fixed penalty notice for £60, reduced to £30 if paid within a month.

Subsequent breaches will see the fine double to a maximum of £960. In serious cases, the person could be prosecuted and subject to a court imposed fine.

But Ms Sturgeon said police would only enforce the restriction “as a last resort” where there was a “clear and flagrant breach”, and Police Scotland said there would be no roadblocks or routine stopping of vehicles during the three-week ban.

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