The SPFL has given all 12 Scottish Premiership clubs until 5pm to indicate their preference on when the winter break should be introduced.
Three options are to pause as planned after January 3, start the break after Boxing Day fixtures, or begin the hiatus before Sunday’s game.
The SPFL board is encouraging clubs not to vote for the last option which would mean there are no games on December 26 due to the few slots available to play matches.
If the winter break is brought forward to after Boxing Day, action would return on the week beginning Monday January 17.
Midweek fixtures would also be introduced to make up for any postponed rounds.
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Once clubs have submitted their preference this evening to the SPFL, the SPFL board will make a majority decision between them.
The SPFL board consists of chief executive Neil Doncaster, chairman Murdoch MacLennan and independent non-executive director Karyn McCluskey along with club representatives.
Hibernian’s Ron Gordon, Ross County’s James McDonald and Rangers general manager Stewart Robertson are the Premiership representation on the board. Hamilton’s Les Gray and Dunfermline’s Ross McArthur are the Championship representatives, with Forfar’s Alastair Donald the League 1 and 2 body on the board.
It is understood 10 out of 12 Premiership clubs want the winter break brought forward following the First Minister’s announcement on Tuesday.
Nicola Sturgeon said all outdoor events in the country will be hit by the new restrictions which will limit attendances to 500 spectators from Boxing Day for three weeks.
Sturgeon revealed the new measures in parliament on Tuesday, which will also call for one-metre physical distancing to be in place between those who attend any outdoor event during that time.
That means the Premiership fixture schedule on Boxing Day and December 29 will be affected, while the Old Firm clash at Celtic Park plus Dundee and Edinburgh derbies on January 2/3 will be played in near-empty stadiums, as it stands.