| Good morning, Welcome to your Thursday Scotsman newsletter. We've got lots of important stories to tell you today. Before we begin, if you value and enjoy what we do you can support our journalism, gain unlimited access to all our stories, get 70% fewer on-site ads and much more from with a digital subscription. Try us out today, you can cancel anytime and for three more days we're offering 21% off. Poll: Voters rewarding Nicola Sturgeon's handling of pandemic as support for independence remains high Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is driving voters towards the SNP while support for independence remains close to record highs, a new poll exclusively commissioned by The Scotsman can reveal. The survey puts the SNP on course for a comfortable majority at the Scottish Parliamentary elections in May, with opposition parties failing to make a dent in the overall support across the country for Ms Sturgeon’s party. Could we heading towards independence? Review the full findings of our poll here. Andy Murray has Covid-19 Scottish tennis superstar Andy Murray has tested positive for Covid-19, just weeks ahead of the Australian Open. The Scottish former world number one was due to travel to Australia on one of the 18 charter flights laid on by tournament organisers but is still isolating at home. Read the full story here. Worst performance by Scottish Government on FOI request in three years Covid-19 led to more delays in responding to freedom of information (FOI) requests by the Scottish Government than at any point since 2017, figures show. The Scottish Government took longer than the statutory deadline of 20 days to respond to a freedom of information request 346 times in 2020, up to mid-November, with the total number likely to be higher, reports Conor Matchett. The Scottish Government was heavily criticised in 2018 for similar practice in a report by the Information Commissioner. Read the full story here. These are the new Covid restrictions set to be confirmed today Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon announced a raft of changes to coronavirus restrictions in Scotland, rules which affect click and collect services as well as food and drink takeaways. The new regulations are expected to be nodded through by the Covid Committee at Holyrood which will meet around 10.30am today. Here's what you need to know. Thanks for reading. Stay safe, Sam Shedden | 
