Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the nation tonight to set out further measures to combat the resurgence in COVID-19 coronavirus – hours before Scotland returns to a state of lockdown.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday (January 3) that Scotland would re-enter a state of lockdown from midnight tonight, making it a legal requirement to stay at home except for certain essential purposes.

Boris Johnson will now take to TV screens at 8pm to set out his response to the worsening crisis, with the House of Commons also set to be recalled to allow MPs to vote on any new measures on Wednesday.

As of December 2, the BBC reported, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the UK had reached 23,823, increasing seasonal pressures on the NHS.

Yesterday, the UK recorded more than 50,000 new confirmed COVID cases for a sixth consecutive day and an additional 454 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

From November 20 all non-essential retail closed in 11 council areas North of the Border as part of new, more stringent Tier 4 COVID restrictions in Scotland.

Under the legislation ‘outdoor car lots’ joined automotive aftersales facilities in being listed as essential retail, however, ensuring that they can remain operational in accordance with social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) measures.

Scottish Parliament has now deemed that more stringent measures are required to combat COVID.

Clarification is currently being sought as to the extent that car retail can remain operational during the nation’s new lockdown.

In her public address setting-out a national lockdown which would once again include the closure of schools, Sturgeon said yesterday: “It is no exaggeration to say that I am more concerned about the situation we face now than I have been at any time since March last year."