Good afternoon, Welcome to your last coronavirus news bulletin of the year from The Scotsman. Before we begin... We would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year and thank you for your support throughout 2020. Don't forget, you gain unlimited access to all our news, features and coronavirus updates with a digital subscription. Try us out today from just £3 a month. Or you can gift a year's worth of news to a loved one here. Nicola Sturgeon reflects on 'unimaginably difficult' year The First Minister has thanked Scots for their sacrifices in her New Year's Eve message today. She praised the "extraordinary dedication" of our health and care workers and volunteers who helped throughout the pandemic, and urged people to show others "compassion and love". Ms Sturgeon said: "I can simply never thank you all enough for the sacrifices you have made, and the patience you have shown, during these last difficult months." Read what else Nicola Sturgeon had to say in her end of year speech. Brewdog owner offers venues for vaccine rollout The boss of Scottish brewery and pub chain Brewdog has offered his closed venues up to the Scottish Government to distribute the coronavirus vaccine for free. "We have waiting areas, huge refrigerators, separate rooms for vaccinations and an ace team who can help organise. We want to help," wrote CEO James Watt on Twitter. Find out how First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded to the offer in our story here. 'It will be a very different Hogmanay this year' Those were the words of Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, who is calling for people to stick to the Covid restrictions this Hogmanay. Police Scotland is encouraging people to take "personal responsibility", and says officers will break up any rogue parties that might take place. Find out more about the rules around public gatherings here. More Covid news this afternoon Thank you for reading and Happy New Year, Ginny - ginny.sanderson@jpimedia.co.uk |