Unlike her English counterpart, the First Minister has opted to clamp down on Scots as Covid cases rise locally. Over the last few weeks, the nation has become the second most infected, with the latest positive caseload coming in at 17,259. The total is up from 11,962 reported on December 31, 2021, and could see Ms Sturgeon respond accordingly.

       Ms Sturgeon will update the Scottish Parliament today in a virtual appearance.

       According to Holyrood’s Presiding Officer, she is due to appear via video link and address MSPs at 2pm.

       Alison Johnstone confirmed today's schedule in a post on Twitter, stating the session would be "entirely virtual".

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       Ms Sturgeon will take the opportunity to update ministers on the Covid situation.

       She will present the latest case figures and announce whether they have broken records once again.

       At the same time, she will touch on Scotland's vaccine progress, with an update on the booster programme.

       Finally, the First Minister will take questions from sitting members.

       Over the last few weeks, Scottish Conservatives have mounted an opposition against some of Ms Sturgeon's rules.

       The party claims the mandated self-isolation period - currently set at 10 days - should be reduced.

       Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross argued it should go down to seven if people can produce two negative tests in the final two days.

       He added that household contacts should be able to leave if they test negative for Covid.

       Mr Ross said Scotland has the "strictest self-isolation rules anywhere in the United Kingdom".

       While he said he understood the "need for caution", he accused the first Minister of "dithering and delaying".

       He said the extensively required isolation is "continuing to have a major impact on frontline services and the wider economy".

       With her announcement, Ms Sturgeon follows on the heels of Mr Ross' party leader Boris Johnson, who made a national address to England on January 4.

       In his address from Downing Street, the Prime Minister provided a grim new update for England.

       Officials recorded a new record-breaking total 218,000 cases, with hospitalisations surging once again.

       But he refused to provide any new Covid restrictions, instead recommitting to the UK's Covid booster programme.

       He said the Government had decided to "ride out this Omicron wave without shutting down our country once again".