image captionMost of the papers focus on whether plans to relax Covid rules over Christmas could be revised or cancelled. The Times says First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants tighter UK-wide restrictions amid fears that a relaxation could cause a huge spike in cases. Ms Sturgeon’s calls came after talks between UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and the leaders of the devolved nations.
image captionThe Daily Record says plans to allow Christmas bubbles in Scotland “could still be burst”. Under the current UK-wide plans, eight people from three households will be able to mix indoors between 23 and 27 December. However, the paper says Ms Sturgeon is considering tightening the Christmas lockdown restrictions over concerns the virus “is spreading too fast”.
image captionThe Daily Mail leads with the same line, saying some of the options Ms Sturgeon is considering include cutting the number of people who can form household “bubbles” over the festive period and limiting the amount of time they can spend together.
image captionThe Scotsman says no final decision was reached after the four-nations call hosted by Mr Gove, but further talks will be held today. The paper reports the first minister rejecting claims that the decision to ease the rules over the festive period had been “rushed”.
image captionThe Metro says there has been a “major rethink” among government leaders as to the benefits and dangers of easing restrictions to allow families to meet up. The plan is said to be “in deep trouble” after a rare joint warning from two respected medical journals.
image caption“Christmas hangs in the balance” is how the i newspaper describes the situation. It also reports on how more than half a million people in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and East Lothian have been moved up to tougher level three restrictions.
image captionThe Press and Journal has the same headline theme on its front page. The paper focuses on “crisis talks” between the four nations of the UK and a poll which suggests the majority of people want to see the planned easing of restrictions cancelled.
image captionThe Daily Express describes Ms Sturgeon’s announcement that she is considering a change to the festive rules as a U-turn. It says restrictions being tightened would mean some Scots being forced to spend Christmas on their own.
image captionPrime Minister Boris Johnson is to call on people to self-isolate before joining up with other households over the festive period, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper says the government is expected to issue stronger guidance about what people in England should do over the holidays, but will stop short of changing the rules between 23 and 27 December. It also reports on Nicola Sturgeon “standing firm over tiers” after she announced no areas in Scotland would be moved down a restriction level.
image captionThe Daily Star features a photograph of TV doctor Hilary Jones in a shop without a mask on. “Dr, No” is the paper’s take, adding he forgot to wear a covering in October.
image captionThe Edinburgh News has a picture of an eerily-empty city centre as it reports on Edinburgh being joined by East Lothian in level three.
image captionThe Evening Express says business leaders in Aberdeen fear the city could be stuck in level three until the middle of January, after the “heartbreaking” confirmation that the city would face tougher restrictions.
image captionElsewhere, The Herald focuses on redundancy cases across the UK hitting a record high, with fears of massive job losses when the government’s furlough scheme ends. The paper also reports on official figures showing more than 1,200 people in Scotland died of drug misuse last year.
image caption“Dangerman” is The Scottish Sun’s description of a student from Edinburgh who has been found guilty under the Terrorism Act of possessing weapons including a crossbow, 15 crossbow arrows and a machete.
image captionThe National leads with SNP MP Philippa Whitford claiming Conservative politicians at Westminster seem to be acting under a definite “attack dog” policy of dismissiveness towards SNP MPs.
image captionThe Courier leads with a call for Scotland’s public health minister and Dundee MSP Joe FitzPatrick to resign over the latest drug death figures. A total of 72 people died from drug misuse in Dundee last year – the highest rate in Scotland.
image captionThe Evening Telegraph reports on the death of a pupil at Dundee’s Grove Academy, with fellow students said to be deeply shocked.
image captionThe Glasgow Times leads with police vowing to bring the killer of Glasgow gangland figure George Redmond to justice more than 12 years after he was murdered in a drive-by shooting.
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