Fife to stay under level three restrictions - but FM issues warning over level four

Fife is to stay under level three coronavirus restrictions in the lead-up to Christmas.

The first minister says case numbers in the Kingdom have risen, but not enough to merit a move into level four at this stage.

However she says the situation will be kept under constant review - hinting that level four may be considered if things continue to escalate.

Three new Covid-19-related deaths have been registered in Fife in the latest 24-hour period.

Nicola Sturgeon told parliament: "Given the overall context to our decisions this week - that I have set out - care and caution continue to be essential.

"As a result, I can confirm that all 18 of the local authorities which are currently at level three will remain at level three.

"While we are still seeing progress across much of the central belt as a result of the recent level four restrictions, there are some areas - for example, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Fife - where cases have increased quite sharply in the last week.

"While the changes in these areas do not warrant a move to level four at this stage, we will be monitoring the situation very closely over the next few days."

She added: "Broadly speaking, we think the levels approach has worked well. But we know the winter will put it under greater pressure.

"Over the next three weeks, we will use the experience of the levels system to date to consider whether the specific restrictions in each level require amendment in any way.

"And we also know - and indeed see this in some of the data I have reported today - that case numbers are rising in some areas despite level three restrictions having been in place for some weeks. The time is right to review this and I will report the outcome of that to parliament after recess."