Image source, PA Media

ScotRail is to be temporarily nationalised, Transport Scotland has confirmed.

The Scottish government has said Scotland’s railway franchise, along with the Caledonian Sleeper, will be “supported financially to be able to maintain necessary services for essential journeys”.

The move comes as the Department for Transport has suspended the franchise agreements it is responsible for,, external transferring all revenue and cost risk to the UK government for six months.

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said it is working with ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper to amend their contracts accordingly.

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC news website

The local authority in the Borders has issued fresh advice over school attendance arrangements in the region., external

It "clearly sets out" provision for children of key workers at the start of the week.

The council said that detailed planning was continuing for the longer term.

It thanked the public for its support and co-operation during such a "difficult time".

The Scottish Parliament continues to sit as MSPs seek to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

The bulk of tomorrow will be spent on the UK Covid-19 Bill. Under the proposed emergency legislation, external, airports could be shut and people held on public health grounds, while immigration officials could place people in isolation. The bill, brought forward by the UK government, will need consent from MSPs.

Also tomorrow, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will make a statement at 13:50 on the impact on his portfolio, covering courts, policing and prisons.

At 17:00, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will provide an update on her portfolio.

Reality Check tackles misleading health advice being shared online.

The school week is getting under way in a very different manner than usual up and down the country.

Images being shared on social media show the efforts being shown to create educational work spaces at home, including via Airyhall School in Aberdeen.

All five of Scotland's mountain snowsports centres have closed amid efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Lecht, Glenshee, Nevis Range, Cairngorm and Glencoe opened for their last day of the season on Sunday.

Snow conditions at the resorts had looked favourable for several weeks longer, but all the operators decided to close in the interests of protecting staff and visitors' health.

Bosses at Nevis Range said the virus was the biggest challenge the centre had faced in its 30-year history. They said they were "devastated" to be closing.

Glencoe said: "Sorry folks. That's it."

The misleading coronavirus health advice being shared online.

Customers have been asked to "respect" workers in island shops amid reports of abuse.

BBC Radio Orkney has reported the Tesco store in Kirkwall has notices, highlighting a small number of incidents.

It warns against verbal or physical abuse.

The chief executive of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park has tweeted to ask people not to visit the area.

He said there was "concerning behaviour" in the park over the weekend as people visited lochs, beaches and other tourist attractions in large crowds.

All national park camping areas, car parks and toilets are closed.

Stirling Council has also said it has been forced to close, externalseveral car parks to discourage people from visiting.

Image source, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

Coffee shop giants Costa have announced they will shut all of their UK stores temporarily due to the coronavirus crisis.

They said the safety of their customers and staff is their "number one priority."

Costa said they will "do their best" to keep their outlets in UK hospitals open and will provide free takeaway coffees to NHS staff for the next two weeks.

Image source, Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon says the food supply chain is "robust", but there is currently pressure on every aspect of life as we know it.

She says supermarkets are beginning to take a range of steps to protect supply and access to key groups.

Ms Sturgeon says it is not possible to "outrun" the virus.

She tells the BBC that those who visit rural areas are taking the virus with them and putting even greater pressure on fragile rural services.

It follows reports of people with second homes or those with campervans travelling to the area in recent days, external.

Nicola Sturgeon says Brexit trade negotiations should be suspended and put to one side as long as is necessary.

She adds that although she has argued for Scottish independence all her life, there are bigger issues to tackle at the moment.

Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland: "Right now I'm a first minister for every person in Scotland trying my best to steer us through the biggest crisis of our lifetimes. That's the only thing that matters to me right now. It's all I'm focused on."

Asked about those who flocked to parks and beaches at the weekend, Nicola Sturgeon says she understands that what she is asking people to do is "difficult", but she says no-one should be in any doubt of the seriousness of the situation.

In an appeal to young people, Ms Sturgeon says that although they may feel "invincible", there is still a risk they could become seriously ill from Covid-19 and may pass the disease on to someone more vulnerable.

The advice is that it is possible to enjoy some fresh air alone or in small family groups, but a crowded beach or park is almost as dangerous as a pub, she says.

The first minister adds: "This is advice for the protection of all of us, particularly the protection of those who are more vulnerable to serious illness and potentially dying from this and it's about protecting our health service.

"If our health service becomes overwhelmed there will be people who will die needlessly and avoidably and that is that we are trying to prevent."

Nicola Sturgeon says the Scottish government is working hard to get supplies of protective equipment to medical workers.

She says those on the frontline of the NHS are owed a "great debt of gratitude" and she will do all she can to protect them.

Nicola Sturgeon says: "I understand the human inistincts that are at play when people are worried - but there is no shortage of food in the country.

"There is plenty to go round if people act responsibly and I would again appeal to people not to panic-buy, not to stockpile but to behave responsibly."

Image source, getty

Public health experts have been giving out lots of advice to try to stop the spread of the virus.

Read here to find out what the symptoms are and what to do if you feel unwell?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51711227