Stagecoach and FirstGroup have stepped up their efforts to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their businesses.

Both transport firms said they were cutting costs and reducing capital expenditure following a slump in demand for their services.

In separate trading updates, they said the crisis was "unprecedented".

However, the transport operators stressed that they remained in a strong financial position.

Image source, Getty

The prime minister is to address the nation at 20:30.

BBC Political Editor Laura Keunssberg believes further steps could be taken to enforce so-called social distancing.

She said: "We know that politicians and many members of the public were dismayed when they saw over the weekend lots of people were just not seriously taking the advice - that simple instruction that staying at home saves lives - to heart and carrying on their lives in ways that they thought were OK.

"But it is clear now politicians think they have to do more to try to enforce these rules, rather than just put them forward as advice.

"So what kind of thing can we expect? Well, I think it is likely the government will tell any shops that aren't selling food or supplies that people vitally need to close.

"I also think it is likely that we might see some kind of enforcement mechanism, possibly we might see the police being asked to fine people if they don't pay heed to the advice.

"This is a very fast moving situation indeed.

"The government has always been clear they might have to take these more draconian actions, but it is very clear this has accelerated in a way they didn't expect just a few weeks ago."

Midwives at a Livingston hospital delivered an important message about social distancing through the medium of song...

• The number of coronavirus deaths in Scotland has reached 14, with 499 known cases.
• Nicola Sturgeon has called on shops which do not provide essentials such as food or medicine to close.
• Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood warned that people who ignored advice on self-isolation and social distancing risked infecting loved ones.
• Many children have begun learning at home after schools closed indefinitely on Friday in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.
• Trains are running on a reduced timetable but commuters packed into trains this morning - going against social distancing advice.
• Scottish Mountain Rescue has appealed to people not to visit Scotland's hills and mountains during the coronavirus outbreak.

Police ordered a "small number" of licensed premises to close on Sunday, according to Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.

The UK and Scottish governments ordered pubs and restaurants to close on Friday as part of measures to control the coronavirus pandemic.

However there were reports over the weekend of a number of pubs which remained open.

In a statement, Mr Livingston confirmed that emergency closure orders were served on the grounds of public safety.

"My priority, as always, is to ensure the people of Scotland are protected and policed effectively," he added.

"Those breaking the law will be dealt with appropriately to ensure the public is kept safe from risk and harm.

"I urge you all to stay informed about developments and reflect on how you go about your lives during these difficult days."

Image source, Getty Images

As public health officials try desperately to boost the number of ventilators available in the UK, the animal health care system has stepped forward to offer its help.

Vets are being asked to check their equipment including animal ventilators to establish if they could also be used on humans.

NHS workers say they are contemplating using them.

Amanda Boag, from the Royal College of Veterinarians, told Drivetime with John Beattie that they have written to members.

She said: "We have asked all practices to register and log any ventilator equipment they have that might be of use to support our human healthcare colleagues.

"Some veterinary hospitals will have ventilators that used to be used in the NHS and as the NHS upgrades them, they get sold into the veterinary market.

"Other ventilators have been manufactured for veterinary use and we are exploring with medical colleagues to determine if they would be helpful or not."

Long queues have been spotted at branches of McDonald's in Glasgow before the fast food chain closes its doors.

It announced it would shut down all branches by 19:00 on Monday at the latest, in a bid to help stall the spread of Covid-19.

Queues were also spotted at another branch of the fast food chain.

Image source, Kevin Jackson

Image source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has ended its latest season almost a month earlier than usual.

Warnings over the spread of coronavirus has led to appeals for people to not visit Scotland's hills and mountains.

Ski centres have closed and some mountain rescue teams warn they will only respond immediately to serious incidents.

SAIS carries out avalanche hazard assessments in six areas - Torridon, Glen Coe, Lochaber, Creag Meagaidh and Northern and Southern Cairngorms.

The service said it would provide the emergency services with assessments when needed.

An SAIS season typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. Last week, the service had hoped to continue as normal.

The service has recorded a provisional figure of 251 avalanches this season. There were 144 for the whole of last season.

It was the first day of home learning for children, and it was a first for parents too.

Dad Phil Reid joked on social media that his children were "slowly getting used to calling me Mr Reid".

His children started the day with an online PE class.

The 2020 Olympic Games will be postponed by a year because of coronavirus, says International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound.

Everybody should be avoiding non-essential contact, and you should stay at home wherever possible.

Read more here.

The company said it would be paying staff their "full contract hours" as long as possible, but would keep that "under review".

Image source, getty

Alan Tennie lives with the respiratory condition bronchiastasis.

He is one of 200,000 high-risk Scots due to be sent letters or texts from the NHS asking them to stay at home for 12 weeks.

Speaking to Drivetime with John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland, he said: "I have been quite unwell since November with constant chest infections and constantly run down.

"I haven't been out the house much since then except for hospital appointments so I am used to self-isolating.

"I read more books and keep myself occupied. We have started shopping online and I am not crossing the door at all now.

"I am absolutely terrified of getting Covid-19. I am doing everything I can to not get this."

There are currently 499 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland, although the actual number of cases is likely to be in the tens of thousands.

This page is updated regularly and shows how the number of confirmed cases has grown in Scotland, as well as a breakdown of where those cases are.

Image source, PA Media

The new bill gives ministers powers that would be unprecedented in normal times.

MPs have begun to debate the bill in Parliament.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stressed that the powers in the bill would only be used "when strictly necessary" and would remain in force only for as long as required to respond to the crisis.

The local authority has decided to close the sites from 18:00 until further notice "in order to safeguard local citizens and staff".

A total of 12 facilities across the region are affected by the decision., external

The council added that kerbside waste collection services remained operating as normal.

Broadcaster and wild swimmer Calum Maclean explains how he has been recreating the experience of a cold loch swim in his bath.

Mr Maclean also urges people with motorhomes not to travel to the Highlands and islands during the coronavirus outbreak.

There have been reports of people with second homes or those with campervans travelling to the area in recent days.

NHS Fife is to ban visitors to its hospitals from Wednesday.

The health board's nursing director, Helen Buchanan said: “We do not know how long these arrangements will remain in place, it will likely be for a number of weeks.

“In the meantime, we would encourage visitors this evening and tomorrow to consider bringing in technology, such as phones or tablets, which will help ensure patients remain connected to family and friends, along with other essential items.”

Visiting - with some restrictions - will still be allowed in the neonatal unit, maternity services, children’s ward and hospices.