Doncaster told Aberdeen vote was mootpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster told Aberdeen their vote on ending the lower-league season was not needed, chairman Dave Cormack has revealed.
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56 more deaths from Covid-19 in Scottish hospitals, bringing total - by that measure - to 893
Care home where 16 residents have died confirms four more suspected Covid-19 deaths
National clinical director says not sufficient evidence to advise wearing masks in public
Nursing body repeats call for adequate PPE amid reports of single-use items being re-used
Doncaster told Aberdeen vote was mootpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
That's it for today's live coveragepublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Here's a summary of some of Saturday's headlines:
- A further 56 deaths of people who have tested positive for the virus in Scottish hospitals brings the total - by that measure - to 893.
- Berelands Care Home in Prestwick, Ayrshire, confirms they have now had 20 deaths of residents relating to suspected Covid-19
- The Royal College of Nursing says nurses in high-risk environments have been asked to recycle single-use equipment.
- A charity warns that a system to ensure online food deliveries for the most vulnerable is not working.
Domestic electricity use up during daypublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Home energy use is up by up to 30% during the middle of the day, new analysis by energy firms reveals.
Much of the population is working from home and schools have closed, meaning home computers and televisions are busier than ever.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, With far less people commuting during lockdown, many are working at home
The highest peak is at lunchtime, when cooking is added to the power consumption of working from home.
But overall, the country is actually using less energy because of businesses being closed.
Capt Tom Moore, 99, to be guest of honour at hospital openingpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
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End of twitter postWorld Cup '78 classic given makeover for current crisispublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Scottish comedian Andy Cameron has been busy putting a new set of words to his football anthem 'Ally's Tartan Army'.
"We're on the run from coronavirus, the dreadful pandemic from the east.
"We should be on the loose but we're aw stuck in the hoose, cause we cannae find a vaccine for the beast.
Etc...
You can listen to the full version below.
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End of twitter postCoronavirus: What do all the terms mean?published at 17:37 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has introduced dozens of new words and phrases to daily life, from social distancing to herd immunity. But what do they all mean?
Use our translator tool to look up and check the meaning of key terms.
'This is not going to be dealt with in weeks'published at 17:25 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, AFPConcluding the UK government's daily briefing, NHS England medical director Stephen Powis says it is "encouraging" that there is evidence "we are starting to see a reduction in the number of people who are hospitalised with Covid-19".
However, he adds: "Now is not the time to rest on our laurels."
"We don't want to lose all the benefits that have been gained. This is not something that is going to be dealt with in weeks. We need to remain on the front foot for a good period of time."
Professor Jason Leitch answers your questionspublished at 17:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Off The Ball
BBC Radio ScotlandA final batch of answers from Scotland's national clinical director, from questions from Radio Scotland's Off the Ball listeners.
Q: If I've had Covid-19, can I catch it again?
A: We are not absolutely certain. Remember, this virus has only existed for just over 100 days. We've not had it long enough to know.
What we do know is that coronaviruses, in the main, give you some immunity for some time.
Image source, Getty ImagesQ: Can the lockdown really end before we have a vaccine?
A: On the way out of the curve of infections we need to track and trace, asking all contacts with those who have had the disease to isolate. That will greatly reduce the chances of it being passed on.
The world lives with infectious diseases as all the time. We may have to live with this for years to come, we just don't know right now.
'I don't underestimate the challenge' - Jenrickpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, AFPWhen it's pointed out that 400,000 gowns (see 16:42 entry below) only covers three days for the NHS, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick insists the government is doing everything it can.
"Businesses here are playing their part as well," he says. "But I don't under-estimate the scale of the challenge.
"The workers on the front line, we understand their anxiety and we are trying to get the equipment as quickly as possible," he adds.
Glasgow University researchers to help examine China virus responsepublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Six of the research team of 12 are from Glasgow University
A team of 12 researchers is to examine the response of the Chinese Government to the coronavirus outbreak.
Led by Professor Jane Duckett - one of six members from Glasgow University - the team will assess the measures put in place in China to combat the virus, which originated in the city of Wuhan.
Reported infection and death rates in China have dropped in recent weeks, with some calling into question the reports coming from the Chinese state.
"Given the apparent success of Chinese measures, other countries may consider adopting them," said Prof Duckett. "Yet we do not fully understand China's measures, which extend well beyond health and clinical management to include policing, travel restrictions and support for businesses."
84 tonnes of PPE 'arriving in UK tomorrow'published at 16:42 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesAsked about the chronic shortage of protective equipment for NHS staff, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick says it is extremely challenging to source it at the moment.
He says a large consignment of PPE - some 84 tonnes - is due to arrive in the UK tomorrow from Turkey, which will include 400,000 gowns, calling it “a very significant additional shipment”.
Scots join star-studded One World: Together At Home concertpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesAnnie Lennox and James McAvoy are among the stars joining One World: Together At Home, a special concert to support frontline workers tackling the coronavirus outbreak.
The event is run by the Global Citizen movement and the World Health Organization and will be curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga.
Viewers from around the world will be able to watch the two-part event online.
In the UK, BBC One will screen highlights of the concert at 19:15-21:15 BST on Sunday.
£1.6bn of new funding to support councilspublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
BreakingCommunities Secretary Robert Jenrick, delivering the UK government's daily briefing, announces an extra sum of £1.6bn to help England's councils keep providing vital services as they respond to the coronavirus crisis.
Mr Jenrick said it would help adult services, children's services, the most vulnerable and waste collection services.
UK Covid-19 death toll surpasses 15,000published at 16:08 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
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End of twitter postHow to maintain mental wellbeing during lockdownpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
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End of twitter post'Victory line' added to underground-style lockdown guidepublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Ken Banks
BBC Scotland North East and Northern Isles reporter
Image source, Dave WattsAn underground-style guide to navigating the coronavirus lockdown has had a new 'victory line' added.
We told on Friday how Lotte Watts, from Peterculter, Aberdeen, said her dad Dave Watts, 67, had designed the guide.
It offers a guide around the home, including the main yellow "survival line" around the kitchen. Other routes include a green "relax line" featuring the sofa, fire, alcohol, books and the TV, a "study line", and an aptly-named "washing line".
Lotte has now shared the updated version with the victory line - described as under construction - featuring beaches, bars, restaurants, shops and mountains.
Professor Jason Leitch answers your questionspublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Off The Ball
BBC Radio ScotlandScotland's national clinical director was on BBC Radio Scotland's Off the Ball programme earlier, answering questions from listeners about coronavirus.
Q: Does the use of asthma inhalers make catching the virus worse?
A: Anyone living with a chronic disease should carry on as normal. There are things that make you more susceptible and things that make you more at risk if you get it; those are two separate issues. People with asthma need to be even more careful.
Image source, Getty ImagesQ: With all this lovely weather comes allergy season. Will the increased sneezing make things worse?
A: It won't make the virus any worse but it might make it trickier to distinguish the symptoms. Allergy symptoms tend to be temporary, they tend not to last the whole day.
Q: If we can't find a vaccine for the common cold, how will we develop a vaccine for this?
A: The common cold is a variety of coronaviruses, which change all the time, so a vaccine is not possible. This one is a much more evil virus and we need a vaccine because if it hangs about, we will have to protect the whole world from it.
Drug users 'should be priority group' in coronavirus crisispublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Scottish Government's drug deaths taskforce has called on users to be classed as a "priority group" during the coronavirus outbreak.
In recommendations to public health minister Joe FitzPatrick, the taskforce said that their inclusion would allow those who use drugs to be tested for Covid-19.
The change in classification would also see users included in the vulnerable groups who can access a Scottish Government-led helpline for support during the pandemic.
Taskforce members issued 29 recommendations, published on the Scottish Government website,, external across a range of subjects, including the provision of naloxone, the resilience of pharmacies, outreach and throughcare for those being released from prison.
Donations for 90-year-old climbing stairs surge past £200,000published at 15:07 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
BBC Breakfast
Image source, PA MediaA 90-year-old Highland woman raising money for the NHS by climbing the stairs in her Sutherland home has seen donations surge past £200,000.
Margaret Payne, from Ardvar, was inspired by 99-year-old Captain Tom Moore, who has raised more than £21 million for the NHS.
"It's been amazing, I can't really believe it's true," Mrs Payne, who is aiming to climb the height - 731m - of Highland mountain Suilven, told BBC Breakfast.
"My husband died at Christmas time, with us here in the house, and he was looked after so well by the National Health Service. It's by way of a little thank you."
Concern over online deliveries for shielded groupspublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 18 April 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesA cancer charity is urging the Scottish government and grocery stores to step up efforts to ensure the most vulnerable people in Scotland have access to online delivery slots.
Blood Cancer UK said delays in setting up a system "could cost lives".
The Scottish government said it was working to ensure people were supported.
About 30,000 people in the most vulnerable "shielded" group have registered for priority deliveries.
In recent days supermarkets have been receiving batches of Scottish government data detailing those registering for the scheme.