SCOTLAND'S Health Secretary has urged people to "use their judgement" when making plans for Christmas.

Humza Yousaf urged Scots to exercise caution during the festive period as he revealed he will be asking his family to take lateral flow tests before arriving for Christmas dinner.

It comes as the Omicron Covid variant has caused concern among some Scots that tougher restrictions may be introduced before Christmas.

Yousaf told STV News: "As health secretary, I’m not here to tell you what you can and cannot do in terms of Christmas parties, or how you behave at Christmas parties.

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"That is entirely up to you within the rules, within the guidance, what we’re suggesting… you know, as long as you are obeying those rules, then of course, we’ll be saying to people exercise some caution.

“I’m planning to have Christmas dinner with extended family and of course I will be asking all of my family to do a lateral flow test before.

“I don’t think that’s too onerous. But I won’t be checking my mother in law’s Covid certification before she comes to the door.

“So, I think people just… have to use their judgement, have to be sensible and I trust most people to do just that."

Amid rising cases of the Omicron coronavirus strand, the Health Secretary urged Scots to get vaccinated for whichever dose is available to them.

He said: “Of course we’re concerned. As we have said previously, we don’t doubt that there is community transmission.

“That community transmission is clearly as we are testing more people, as we are looking for that s-gene dropout, which is the proxy measure for Omicron cases, we’re identifying more and more cases right across the country.

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“So, what can people do to help us out here? They can make sure they get vaccinated, whichever vaccine you’re eligible for – first, second, third booster doses – get yourself vaccinated.

“Test yourself regularly, particularly if you’re going to be socialising, whether that’s indoors or outdoors.

“Make sure you’re wearing your mask in settings that are applicable and appropriate.

“And of course, practice good hygiene. These are the things that you can do to help us to keep transmission under control.”