Nicola Sturgeon could impose tighter Covid restrictions in an update due to be given in the Scottish Parliament today.
Last week John Swinney warned of a “precarious and unpredictable” situation in Scotland.
The deputy first minister said the Scottish Government was considering extending the vaccine passport scheme to avoid the need for another winter lockdown.
However, business leaders have warned that such a move could have severe financial consequences.
When is Nicola Sturgeon Covid update?
The Scottish Government is due to meet this morning to discuss whether any steps need to be taken to stop Covid cases increasing.
On Monday there were 2,288 positive test results recorded across Scotland after four days of more than 3,000 daily cases.
The current seven-day average is 2,991 cases, which has increased from about 2,400 on October 30.
There were 771 patients in hospital with Covid on Monday, which has reduced from 931 on November 1.
Mr Swinney warned last week “now is not the time to relax our approach” while explaining that figures are expected to continue to rise over Christmas.
Nicola Sturgeon is due to give a Covid update to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament shortly after 2pm after whether any extra steps will be taken to control case numbers.
What extra Covid measures could be imposed today?
Increasing the settings where Covid vaccine passports is reported to be one measure under consideration by the Scottish Government.
Customers currently need to show they have been double-jabbed when attending nightclubs and indoor and outdoor large events.
A joint survey carried out be trade bodies the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, the Scottish Hospitality Group, UK Hospitality Scotland and the Night Time Industries Association has warned of serious impacts if the vaccine passport scheme is extended.
A survey based on 152 responses from business owners has found that 95% of firms expect to cut staff hours if vaccine passports are extended to the wider hospitality industry.
A joint statement from the trade bodies said: “Given that turnover has reduced by 20% to 40% for businesses impacted by the scheme, this would be a devastating blow for the sector’s 100,000 workers just in the run-up to Christmas.
“The Scottish Government must take this into consideration when making the decision on any extension of the covid certification and provide the economic support to keep thousands of businesses afloat.”
‘Businesses will be dismayed at further restrictions’
A snap poll of nearly 700 Scottish companies has warned many firms are already struggling with existing Covid measures – with 24% saying they face “severe financial consequences” if vaccine passports and home working measures are widened.
The survey found 65% of the businesses surveyed by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) were opposed to more restrictions.
Ryan Crighton, policy manager of AGCC, told BBC Radio Scotland that the Covid vaccine passport scheme was already working and any extra steps from the Scottish Government needed to come with financial support.
He said: “Last winter businesses battened down the hatches to win the race between vaccines and the virus.
“Now that race has been won many firms will be dismayed to be going backwards.
“We need to balance the public health emergency with the economic emergency.”