NICOLA Sturgeon will today provide an update to the Scottish Parliament announcing new tougher measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

The First Minister is to take part in a COBRA meting this morning, following the advice from all four chief medical officers across the UK nations agreed the COVID-19 alert should be raised to Four.

She will then announce the measures in Holyrood this afternoon.

The First Minister previously said coronavirus is spreading again in Scotland and “further and urgent action” is needed to stop the increase, warning if left unchecked it will lead to more cases, people in hospital and deaths.

She said the Scottish Government is prepared to introduce “a package of additional measures” but will aim to avoid a full-scale lockdown such as the one imposed in March.

But what restrictions could be imposed? Here, we outline some potential options coming from the First Minister.

Here’s what could be introduced:

Household gatherings

While the First Minister has not yet identified the new lockdown measures, she did say that the areas that pose the greatest risk for the transmission of Covid-19 included household to household transmission.

Currently, the 'rule of six' is in place across the country, meaning that gatherings must be limited to six people from only two households.

In some parts of the country, including Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire, tougher restrictions are already in place with a ban on household visits.

Hospitality curfew

Yesterday, Ms Sturgeon also cited the hospitality sector as a bigger risk for spreading Covid-19.

The First Minister had previously said she was not ruling out the prospect of a pub curfew and that it would be kept "under review."

However, the local lockdown in Aberdeen during August saw pubs and restaurants closed with immediate effect.

In England, Boris Johnson is set to announce a 10pm curfew for all pubs and restaurants later today.

Travel restrictions

Also imposed in Aberdeen during the country's first 'local lockdown' was a five-mile travel limit, similar to that in the initial lockdown period beginning in March.

Those living in the Aberdeen area were not permitted to travel more than five miles for leisure purposes.

Circuit-breaker lockdown

The Scottish Government is also thought to be considering the idea of a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown – a tough, roughly two-week larger scale lockdown in a bid to immediately stop any further spread.

A leaked memo, reportedly detailing out measures being considered by the Scottish Government, included the closure of schools and hospitality, no contact sports, the closure of entertainment venues and restrictions on home care and hospital visits.

What has been brought into place elsewhere?

Last night, restrictions were announced in Northern Ireland meaning there will be no mixing of two households indoors, except for single-person bubbles and certain other exemptions, from 6pm on Tuesday.

No more than six people from two households can meet in private gardens.

Ms Sturgeon added: “I will be clear that I am willing to allow a bit more time for four-nations discussions to take place before making final decisions for Scotland.

“But I will be equally clear that the urgency of this situation will mean that we cannot, must not and will not wait too long.”

How can I watch the briefing?

The speech is scheduled to be broadcast on the main BBC One Scotland channel, from 2.20pm.

Viewers can also tune in online through the BBC iPlayer.

It can also be viewed on Scottish Parliament TV online.

And the First Minister will be providing a TV address on BBC at 8.05pm.

You can also follow all the announcements on our live blog.