Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie says while many women's rights arguments have been fought and won, the fight for women's equality is still going.

She highlights steps being taken by the Scottish government to promote equality, including:

• the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill and support for Rape Crisis services
• the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act
• a commitment to develop a women's health plan, which will cover issues like abortion, menopause and endometriosis
• increasing accessibility to free period products
• calling on the UK government to improve the offering on parental leave, especially for fathers

Gender balance in the Scottish parliament has gone backwards since 1999 but we have a chance in the coming months as selections take place, she says.

Ms McKelvie concluded: "We have not won the war."

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs will now take part in a debate to mark International Women's Day 2020, external on Sunday.

This year's theme is Each For Equal, demanding the creation of a "gender equal world".

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has told MSPs that the worst case scenario planning indicates 80% of the UK population would become infected with coronavirus.

The cabinet secretary was updating Holyrood on the Scottish government's preparations for dealing with the potential spread of COVID-19 beyond the one case currently identified in Scotland.

She said modelling indicated 4% of those infected may require hospitalisation and there was an estimated 1% fatality rate.

The Scottish government has set out its strategy to cope with coronavirus, external as part of a "four nations" action plan.

Image source, Andrew Cowan

It has activated its "resilience room" to co-ordinate the Scottish response to the virus, external.

The UK government has warned that up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick at the same time.

The minister says the four nation action plan will lead to emergency legislation being laid at Westminster later this month, to allow former NHS staff to return to work and schools to be closed.

It will also allow the introduction of mandatory vaccinations for health and social care workers

Ms Freeman says extraordinary social distancing measures and restrictions of public events may be necessary in the future but are not needed yet.

Alex Cole-Hamilton says event organisers must help now with the containment phase.

The Lib Dem MSP points out football stadiums often have cold water and no soap in the soap dispensers, and fans shake hands and celebrate when a goal is scored.

He says it is critical these wash facilities are in place and calls on the minister to contact the SFA and SPFL to ensure the facilities are in place.

Image source, bbc

The health secretary agrees everyone has a serious responsibility to help us here in this containment phase.

Ms Freeman "urges very strongly" every entertainment venue or sports venue to ensure the necessary facilities are in place.

She adds her officials are in touch with sporting organisations and representative bodies.

The health secretary says the government will strike the right balance between protecting citizens in terms of their health but also ensuring that the impact on wider society is minimised.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone asks about increased support for GPs so they do not become "overloaded".

She also wonders about those who are concerned about self-isolating, such as unpaid carers or those in insecure work.

Ms Freeman says if people have symptoms and a travel history, they should use the NHS 111 number for advice rather than going to the GP.

Work is underway with the whole primary care area to understand and engage staff in the work we need them to do, she adds.

In terms of unpaid carers, the health secretary says this will be considered as part of social care response to be discussed with Cosla tomorrow.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says there has been a spike in calls to NHS 24 and asks what level of calls the government is expecting .

Ms Lennon also asks what resources are available for NHS 24 going forward and what advice is being given to NHS and social care staff.

Image source, bbc

The health secretary says she will brief opposition party health spokespeople after this statement.

She says the latest figures on 1 March 2020 showed an increase of 44 calls, but there has been a significant rise in the use of the NHS Inform web page.

The minister says NHS 24 has a free helpline for advice as well as the 111 helpline for those experiencing symptoms.

She has asked NHS 24 to do some work scoping how much they will have to scale up

The health secretary tells the chamber the government will speak to all unions in the NHS about the details and NHS Scotland staff policies cover the situation if a member of staff is asked to self-isolate.

Ms Freeman says the point of contain and delay is to spread the peak of cases to enable to NHS to manage the process.

That prolongs the time we are managing the disease but it allows the prospect of further research and possibly a vaccine to come forward, she adds.

Work is underway to gather evidence on what additional capacity may be needed, she adds.

In terms of calling back staff, we do not need to do that yet but we do need to build in time for them to upskill themselves she says.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Mile Briggs says many Scots with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems are very concerned.

Mr Briggs points out there have been 2,762 acute beds lost and pivots to the worst case scenario planning.

He asks what planning is being taken forward for the recommissioning of NHS beds.

The Tory MSP also asks what steps are being taken to find where former NHS staff reside and asks whether an advertising campaign is being considered.

All NHS health boards have been asked to review their preparedness planning, using flu plans as a basis, she tells the chamber.

The health secretary confirms she has asked National Service Scotland to ensure health services continue to receive supplies they need.

We have enhanced surveillance to strengthen early detection of transmission she adds.

Sector specific guidance to additional bodies such as schools and universities has been provided, Ms Freeman states.

Ms Freeman says the government is doing all it can to ensure the response is proportionate and effective and adds it will continue to keep the government and the public informed.

Ms Freeman says extraordinary social distancing measures and restrictions of public events may be necessary but are not needed yet.

She pivots to the four nation action plan announced today, stressing the Scottish government will continue to work closely with the UK government, the Welsh government and the Northern Ireland executive to develop emergency legislation that will be laid at Westminster later this month.

It will allow former NHS staff to return to work and will allow ministers to direct school closures if needed, as well as allowing the introduction of mandatory vaccinations for health and social care workers.

Ms Freeman says the bill will contain a sunset clause to end the existence of emergency powers when no longer needed or when the UK chief medical officer declares there is no longer an emergency.

The health secretary says there are four main themes in the approach to tackle coronavirus:

• contain: detect early cases and follow up close contacts
• delay:slowing the spread of the disease
• research: to develop effective treatment and vaccines
• mitigate: providing the best possible care for those that are ill and minimise the overall impact on society

Ms Freeman stresses the need for good respiratory care and hand washing, citing the "Catch it, Bin it, Kill it" message.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says on Sunday Scotland had the first positive case of coronavirus.

Ms Freeman adds the patient, from the Tayside area, tested positive and is receiving treatment in isolation in hospital.

Covid 19 is a new strain of coronavirus, explains the health secretary and says it is important to stress that today's announcement is about planning for the worst case scenarios.

She says of the 80% of the UK population who may become infected, 4% may require hospitalisation with an estimated 1% fatality rate in those infected.

The vast majority of people infected will have mild symptoms, but some will become very unwell she explains.

The health secretary points out those that are older or have underlying health conditions will be worst affected.

Image source, Getty Images

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will now update MSPs on the Scottish government's preparations for an outbreak of coronavirus.

The Scottish government has set out its strategy to cope with coronavirus , externalas part of a "four nations" action plan.

The first minister said "well-established" plans were being activated to tackle a "serious situation".

"I know people are hearing scary figures and it is important to stress that they are worst case scenarios," Nicola Sturgeon said.

The UK government has warned that up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick at the same time.

• Read more here
• Coronavirus: Scotland should plan for 'significant outbreak'
• Coronavirus: Up to fifth of UK workers 'off sick at same time'
• Live: UK unveils coronavirus action plan

Children and Young People Minister Maree Todd says the government is confident the expansion will be delivered by this August.

Ms Todd says Audit Scotland's report is encouraging as it recognises steady progress is being made.

Ms Wishart points out Audit Scotland have warned how much needs to be done, including workforce planning.

The Lib Dem MSP asks if the minister agrees parents shouldn't be given a take it or leave it option.

Parents will be delivered a step change putting the power in their hands insists the minister.

Image source, Getty Images

A major recruitment drive is needed to ensure an expansion of funded nursery places is to hit its summer deadline, a spending watchdog has warned.

The national entitlement to free childcare will increase from 600 to 1,140 hours in August.

Audit Scotland said more than 4,000 nursery staff would need to be recruited and half the building work was not yet complete.

The Scottish government said it was confident the deadline would be met.

Read more.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart asks whether all aspects of the expansion of funded early learning and childcare will be available to all families in August 2020.