NICOLA Sturgeon has announced the new local tier levels of coronavirus restrictions in Scotland which will come into force from Friday, November 20.

The First Minister addressed the Scottish Parliament this afternoon (Tuesday) outlining key updates to the tiered system, with 19 council areas - including Argyll and Bute - seeing no change.

The region, which covers Helensburgh and Lomond, will remain at Level 2, but Ms Sturgeon admitted that she is hopeful that Argyll and Bute can move down to Level 1 "soon".

Elsewhere, nearby West Dunbartonshire will move into Level 4 for three weeks, with the restrictions being lifted on December 11. Ten other council areas, the majority of which are in the west of Scotland, will face the toughest set of restrictions.

Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood: "Level 4 is intended to be short and sharp. And in this situation, it is specifically intended to have an impact in advance of Christmas and the most challenging winter period."

Under Level 2 restrictions up to six people from a maximum of two different households are allowed to meet outdoors or in hospitality settings, with in-home socialising with others still prohibited.

Restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars can open indoors for the consumption of food and non alcoholic drinks, along with a meal, with last entry at 7pm. All venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 8pm.

Venues are allowed to open outdoors for the consumption of food and alcoholic drinks with last entry at 9.30pm. All venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 10.30pm.

In the seven-day period up to Saturday, November 14 there were 26 positive Covid-19 cases in Argyll and Bute, a rate of 30.3 per 100,000 population.