First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she is currently “not cancelling Christmas”.

Speaking to parliament yesterday (Tuesday) the First Minister said that she was not asking people to sacrifice Christmas because she knows the mental health impact on people.

Instead, she is asking people to limit contact with household groups to three where possible.

However, it has been stated that this is not being enforced by law.

Businesses are being urged to bring back physical distancing and screens in shops and hospitality venues. The First Minister also said more Scots could still work from home.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I am not asking anyone to cancel Christmas.

“I am asking everyone as far as possible to reduce the contacts we have with people in other households”.

The new guidance comes as the First Minister also said that Omicron cases were beginning to increase the country, but only two cases have been recorded in hospital, despite some reports that the number was much higher.

Omicron now makes up 27.5 per cent of cases in Scotland, an increase from 15 per cent on Friday. The rate is doubling every two or three days and the R number measuring the spread of the virus may be higher than four.

The First Minister also said the Scottish Government would continue to push for more help from the UK Treasury because of the additional hit to businesses at what is traditionally the busiest and most profitable time of year.