NICOLA Sturgeon will announce the latest coronavirus restrictions for Scotland tomorrow, setting out any changes under the Scottish Government’s new framework of levels, but business leaders have warned that following England into a full-scale lockdown would put the country “at risk of being strangled for an over-abundance of caution.”

There was speculation last week that the First Minister might have little choice but to place the whole country into a level four restriction so as to be able to drive numbers down and make use of the UK Government’s furlough scheme.

However, following the Chancellor’s U-turn, and his decision to extend the scheme until March, the Scottish Government now has a little more breathing space.

There were three confirmed Covid deaths registered on Saturday, down from 39 recorded on Friday – though the number of deaths is usually significantly lower at weekend as register offices are generally closed.

READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Death rate expected to fall as restrictions curb spread

Of 17,229 new tests that were carried out, 7.3% were positive.

There were 1245 Covid patients in hospital – the same number as the day before – and the number of people in intensive care rose from 106 to 111.

Professor Linda Bauld, chair of public health in The Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Scotland that the pandemic seemed to be stabilising in Scotland.

“We are not seeing huge rises in the number of cases,” she said.

“We are definitely not seeing the pandemic growing in the way it might have been doing if we weren’t living under the current restrictions,” she added.

Professor Bauld said people’s contacts had reduced by 14% in the last two weeks and by 30% since August. She believes it’s unlikely that the restrictions will change much tomorrow.

“My own personal view is that we need a little bit longer to see the full effects of the current system and so I’d be very surprised if we saw much movement at the moment,” she said.

That would please Tim Allan, president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, who urged the government to avoid more restrictions.

“We simply must not move into a lock down or a so-called circuit break unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

READ MORE: Jason Leitch warns no part of Scotland is ready for Level 0 restrictions

“By the criteria set out in the Scottish Government’s own strategic framework, most of Scotland should be having restrictions eased, not locked down further.

“This is not just about the economy – although it’s clearly facing perilous decline. It’s about not trading harms caused by the virus, for greater harms caused by mental illness, joblessness and poverty because these can also be deadly for some. These issues must be equally factored into decision making.

“The complex tier system was created to reflect our regional variations in demography, geography and capacities. The First Minister must not panic and throw this plan away just days after it has been implemented, particularly where indications show the plan is working as transmissions are declining and going in the right direction.”

He said while the furlough scheme was welcome it was “not a panacea”.

Allan added: “It will protect jobs to a certain extent, and it can provide a cushion for when areas need stricter measures to control the spread of the virus.

“However, most businesses which are already depleted of cash reserves from the last lockdown, and additional local lockdowns, all still face other costs. Many are at the point where it might just be easier to shut and restart at some point in the future, if at all. That will be a disaster for all of us.”

Meanwhile, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed that there’s a possible four-nation meeting this week to “pool ideas, plan together and have a common approach to the Christmas period”.

“I really hope that meeting materialises,” he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland will make its own decision

On whether he wanted to see families reunite over Christmas, he said: “The restrictions people have had to live with are incredibly difficult and demanding, and everybody is tried and fatigued of coronavirus. If we can offer respite over Christmas that is what we would want to do.”

He added: “The only way to do that is for us to have that opportunity to meet and talk together.

“I really hope the UK Government is serious about this and make certain that those opportunities exist for us all.”

Wales is due to exit its 17 days firebreak lockdown, while England still has the rest of the month.

Elsewhere, news has emerged of senior Government figures including Michael Gove and Matt Hancock being made to surrender their phones as part of a leak inquiry.