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Scotland is incorporating a new tiered coronavirus system as restrictions in the country are extended for another week.
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said details will be released on Friday and the measures will be implemented from November 2.
The restrictions imposed two weeks ago on hospitality businesses were due to end on October 25.
The measures have also closed billiard and billiard halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls in the country’s central belt.
People are also prohibited from visiting each other’s homes unless they are part of an extended home.
The restrictions will remain in effect until the new system enters early next month.
A tiered system is currently in force in England, with different areas in one of the three risk categories and subject to different rules about what can remain open and with whom people can meet.
Nicola Sturgeon said that the level system would start on November 2
Sturgeon said that while there is “cautious optimism” the current restrictions were working, advisers told ministers it would not be safe to lift the measures starting Monday.
He added: “The extension allows us to make a smoother transition to the new tier system that we hope will be introduced on November 2.”
Sturgeon said he understood the extension of the measures to be “tough” financially and emotionally.
Speaking in the coronavirus Update in Edinburgh, the prime minister said: “I know this is all really unpleasant and I know these restrictions are tough.
“They are tough financially for many people and businesses, and they are tough emotionally for all of us.
“I want to emphasize again that none of these decisions are being made lightly; it is about trying to save lives and minimize the damage to health that we know this virus is capable of causing.”
He said financial support will be extended to help companies affected by the extension of the restrictions.
The prime minister said that all details of the support will be posted online, but that business support grants and add-ons for the licensing scheme will be extended.
He said companies would receive “proportionally the same” amount of support in the additional week of restrictions as in the previous 16 days.
The Scottish government will also describe the levels of support that will be offered to businesses under the new tiered system.
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However, the prime minister said the support outlined in the framework would be the most that her decentralized administration can offer.
Sturgeon spoke as 28 more coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the past 24 hours in Scotland, with 1,739 new positive tests.
It is the highest death toll since May 21.
Sturgeon said: “Even taking into account today’s numbers, we think we could be starting to see a reduction in the rate at which new cases are increasing.”
