The idea of a normal Christmas is a "fiction" and Scots should prepare for digital celebrations, national clinical director Jason Leitch has said.

The government has insisted that the latest Covid-19 restrictions are having an impact on the spread of the virus.

But Prof Leitch told BBC Scotland there was "absolutely no question" of a "normal" Christmas being allowed.

Measures could be eased if case numbers fall, but Mr Leitch said people should "get their digital Christmas ready".

The words 'Digital Christmas' make my heart weep 😩

BBC News - Covid: Scots told to prepare for 'digital Christmas'https://t.co/dSgHJpUG4P

— Emma Hill (@EmmaHill99) October 22, 2020

Opposition politicians said the public would be "devastated" by the news and called for more details.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the government was making "really tough" decisions and would not "tell people what they want to hear to make it easier in the here and now".

Tight restrictions on the hospitality trade focused in particular on Scotland's central belt have been extended for another week as coronavirus case numbers continue to rise.

These short-term measures are to be replaced with a new five-tier system of alert levels from 2 November, although First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that this does not rule out "even tougher restrictions" being imposed if necessary.