Summary

  • Boris Johnson strengthens measures to stop people from leaving their homes

  • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the stringent restrictions are unprecedented

  • Earlier she announced four more deaths in Scotland - taking the total to 14

  • She told the BBC that the acceleration of coronavirus is "rapid"

  • Schools across Scotland are now closed - except for children of key workers

  • Trains have moved to a reduced timetable with a focus on providing public transport for key workers

  • More than 200,000 at-risk people in Scotland to receive letters containing "strict guidance" on isolation

  1. Virus prompts recruitment drive for fruit pickerspublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Strawberries being pickedImage source, Getty Images

    A group of Scottish berry growers is looking to hire more than 3,000 fruit pickers to meet a huge shortfall in its labour force as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

    Angus Growers' recruitment drive is targeting workers in the travel and hospitality sectors who are facing redundancy as a result of the virus.

    It is anticipating a shortfall of 3,200 workers - almost 80% of its workforce - this year as travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus kick in.

    It is looking for people to pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

    The majority of the Arbroath-based organisation's 19 farmers are spread across Angus, Perthshire and Fife.

  2. 'Tough decisions' for Aberdeen FCpublished at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Aberdeen FC faces "£5m of outgoings with no expected income" due to the coronavirus pandemic, chairman Dave Cormack has warned.

    All senior football in the country has been suspended since 13 March, with no fixed date for a return.

    Cormack said the Scottish Premiership club was doing everything possible to mitigate a “clearly unsustainable” situation.

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  3. Coronavirus in Scotland update: 14 deaths and 499 known casespublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, bbc

    The number of coronavirus deaths in Scotland has reached 14, with 499 known cases.

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the figures as she emphasised everyone should stay at home if possible.

    Ms Sturgeon said "the vast majority of people" were making every effort to limit social contact. However, she said "too many" people were still being expected by their employers to go to work.

    Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has also announced a new national community hub and assessment centre has been set up for those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms who require additional support.

    A physical assessment centre is to be set up in every health board area in Scotland, with the majority to be in place today and the final two in place by the end of the week.

    People with coronavirus symptoms and who are seeking additional advice should dial NHS 24 on 111 at any time. Please go to NHS inform if you are seeking a sick note, do not dial 111 for this.

  4. What exactly is social distancing?published at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

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  5. Extra educational content from BBC Scotland beginspublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Starting today, BBC Scotland is providing extra educational content for pupils in Scotland to help them continue to learn at home while schools are closed.

    BBC Bitesize content, specifically for pupils studying in Scotland, will be shown on the BBC Scotland channel.

    The first subject covered will be maths. Subsequent days will cover English, Science and Social subjects for primary and secondary pupils.

    At 13:30 (later than previously billed), Snoot and Fin will be helping primary school-aged children learn about maths.

    This programme will be followed at 14:15 by a programme for secondary school pupils.

    As well as airing on the BBC Scotland channel, they will also be available through BBC Bitesize.

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  6. The press conference endspublished at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Press conference

    Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the government intends to double ICU capacity and then increase the number of ventilators beyond that.

    The UK and Scottish government are pursuing routes to make this happen, she says.

    The press conference draws to a close.

  7. 'You should be at home if you can be'published at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Ms Sturgeon says the army may well have roles to play in keeping supplies going.

    We can't close supermarkets and she repeats the plea not to panic buy

    Supermarkets are being encouraged to put in place measures to ensure social distancing, she adds.

    The first minister says you should be at home if you can be but if you are out and about then keep that two metre distance separation in mind.

  8. Coronavirus assessment centres will increase with demandpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Asked about letters going out to the 200,000 high risk people announced on 16 March, Ms Sturgeon confirms these letters will go out in the next few days.

    On the new assessment centres, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirms these are available in every health board area, including the islands, except two - but these final two will be available by the end of the week.

    We will make it clear where these centres are located by the end of the day, she adds.

    Ms Freeman adds the numbers of these centres will increase in line with demand, based on where we see the biggest increases in coronavirus cases.

  9. Letters of advice to 200,000 individuals at high risk in next few days...published at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

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  10. Are we making the same mistakes as Italy?published at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    A journalist asks if we are making the same mistakes as Italy.

    The first minister points out she has made announcements on the closure of pubs and clubs and today called on all non-essential retail to shut.

    Ms Sturgeon tells the journalist she understands human instinct but if you are in a crowded place indoors or outdoors you are encountering the same risk.

    People have to get out and get fresh air and exercise, but on your own or with your own family group who you live with, she adds.

  11. Will the UK enter lockdown?published at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    The first minister says the vast majority of pubs and cafes adhered to guidance on closing over the weekend and the police issued closure notices under licensing laws for some that did not.

    In a matter of days new powers will allow police to enforce closure, she adds.

    On the question of going into lockdown, Ms Sturgeon says the UK is taking many of the same measures other countries described as being in lockdown are taking.

    The missing bit we may have to move to is from advice being issued to more enforcement, which she says she cannot rule out.

    Quote Message

    I will not hesitate to do what is necessary here."

    Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister

  12. 'We are significantly behind London'published at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood says we are significantly behind London which had these numbers many weeks ago.

    There are 130 cases in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and are also widespread across other health boards, she adds.

    The CMO says the government is looking very carefully at the geographical spread and "we are not seeing one area being a cluster".

    There is now genotyping of all coronavirus patients in intensive care to see if there is one kind of coronavirus affecting them or different ones, she explains.

  13. Postpublished at 13:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

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  14. Elected representatives must give the right advice says FMpublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the new national community hub and assessment centre is for those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms who require additional support.

    It is accessed using the 111 number so it is important people phoning that number for a sick note do not do so, she explains.

    Asked about tackling misinformation and people like SNP MSP John Mason continuing to proceed with business as normal, Ms Sturgeon says "too many people" are being asked to go to work.

    On John Mason specifically, the first minister says "very categorically" the advice he has given is "not the right advice" and it is important elected representatives give the right advice.

  15. CMO warns those ignoring the advice they are risking infecting 'the people you love'published at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Dr CalderwoodImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood

    Dr Calderwood says: "The measures are hard and life changing."

    However, she points out: "The people that you interact with, if they give you coronavirus, you will pass that on to the members of your household.

    "You're risking actually infecting the people you spend most time with, the people you love."

    Quote Message

    So when people are mixing outside their families they need to be absolutely sure it is worth the risks they are taking."

    Catherine Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer

    People are also risking the health of our NHS staff and our social care staff who we need to keep as many people alive in this pandemic as possible, adds the chief medical officer.

    She says people should go out once a day to exercise but in small family groups and avoiding mingling.

  16. Postpublished at 12:59 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

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  17. Postpublished at 12:58 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

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  18. We are on the cusp of the rapid acceleration of casespublished at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood says we are on the cusp of the rapid acceleration of coronavirus cases in Scotland.

    The 14 deaths probably each represent up to 1,000 people that have become infected, Dr Calderwood says.

    She adds there are 23 people in ICUs across Scotland who represent 400 to 500 other people who will have become infected.

    The numbers are an underestimate of the actual size of the outbreak in Scotland, reiterates the chief medical officer.

  19. Measures 'profoundly and fundamentally changing how we live our lives'published at 12:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    The first minister says the minor ailment service, external is being extended to make it easier for patients to access support and relieve pressure on frontline NHS staff.

    This weekend has been the "most unusual weekend in my lifetime and that is true for all of us", Ms Sturgeon says.

    She adds that the measures are "profoundly and fundamentally changing how we live our lives" but she emphasises the importance of this to slow down the virus, reduce its peak impact and to save lives.

  20. If you have coronavirus symptoms and seek advice dial 111 at anytimepublished at 12:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    Ms Sturgeon says: "If our NHS is overwhelmed people will die needlessly and avoidably.

    "This is about saving lives."

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, bbc

    The first minister announces the creation of New Community Hubs - from now on if patients with coronavirus symptoms are seeking additional advice they should dial NHS 24 on 111 in and out of hours - callers will go to one of the new hubs where clinicians will take their calls.

    This means anyone with symptoms can now call the same number any time day or night seven days a week freeing up GPs to care for all other conditions, she explains.

    She says if you need a sick note right now please go the NHS inform, do not call 111.