Covid restrictions are unlikely to return in Scotland despite a significant rise of new infections, Jason Leitch has said.
An estimated one in every 20 Scots had Covid last week - amounting to 250,700 people.
It is an increase from 176,900 - around one in 30 people - the previous week, the highest level in the UK.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said it would be "sensible" for people to wear face coverings indoors, however there is no legal requirement to do so.
Speaking on BBC's Sunday Show, Professor Leitch, Scotland's national clinical director, said he "honestly" does not think mandatory restrictions will be reintroduced.
He said: "Something dramatic would have to happen to the virus. We've got fatigue from this. We're all a bit fed up. People are going back about their business.
"Glastonbury is on, TRNSMT is on next week. I remember us talking about TRNSMT a year ago where we were struggling to get it back on. All of those things are really, really important to get back."
But he warned the public there would be "small prices to pay" in order to ensure "normality" continues.
"Science, vaccination, staying off your work, face coverings are small prices to pay in order to get society back," he added.
Prof Leitch has just recovered from Covid-19 himself after he shared a positive lateral flow test on social media last week.
The exact number of people with the virus in Scotland is unknown since regular testing of the public ended in April.
And while we should be "concerned" about the rise in cases, Prof Leitch said the spike is "entirely predictable".
"Let's not underreact," he said. "But let's not overreact either because vaccines, antivirals, we know what to do.
"We're able to live this in a different way that we could have before."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here ..
