Nicola Sturgeon has already signposted the likely decision on moving to the highest level 4 alert ahead of an official statement at the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.
Officials were checking the latest infection figures this morning in councils across the Glasgow and Greater Clyde region, Lanarkshire and potentially West Lothian.
If confirmed as expected, the level 4 decision will lead to further restrictions on travel, closure of non essential shops, hairdressers, pubs and gyms from Friday.
Schools are expected to stay open, but teachers union the EIS is threatening industrial action and demanding a move to remote learning in covid hot spots.
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