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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will advise that mass gatherings of 500 people or more should be cancelled from the start of next week.

Speaking at first minister's questions, she said she anticipated a "sharp rise" in coronavirus cases in Scotland.

"Mass gatherings require to be policed, to have mass ambulance cover, and at a time when we need to be reducing the pressures on these frontline workers in order to free them up for the challenge ahead, I do think it is inappropriate that we continue as normal," Ms Sturgeon said.

"The health secretary and I have decided this morning that we are minded that we will advise the cancellation, from the start of next week, of mass gatherings of 500 people or more."

SNP MSP Christine Grahame asked about the ruling that means the conviction of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi over the Lockerbie bombing can be taken to a fresh appeal.

There were also questions about victims of domestic abuse being put on waiting lists of up to six months, and the bail out of ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper.

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The UK government is expected to announce that it is stepping up its response to the coronavirus.

It is anticipated the UK will switch to tactics aimed at delaying its spread, rather than containing it, when the government's emergency committee meets.

It comes after the World Health Organization labelled the outbreak of the disease as a pandemic.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for the cancellation of mass gatherings of 500 people or more.

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Schools, colleges and other public facilities in the Republic of Ireland are to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 until Thursday 29 March.

He said the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would be briefed.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said airports and ports would remain open.

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The first minister says: "I am at the service of the parliament, as is the health secretary.

"We don't know how long the Cobra meeting will last this afternoon, but we would be happy to come back to the chamber later on."

Ms Sturgeon pledges the government will follow up any issues raised by MSPs as best they can, and that the health secretary will speak to any member who wants to ask a question.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar raises a point of order, saying all MSPs accept the seriousness of the coronavirus.

Mr Sarwar stresses this is not a criticism, and asks for an opportunity to ask questions about the outbreak, raising concerns from GPs about the delivery of safety equipment.

The presiding officer says there had been a statement scheduled for this afternoon, now cancelled due to the delay to the start of the Cobra meeting.

Ken Macintosh says the possibility of an emergency statement at the end of the day will be discussed by the business bureau.

The first minister reiterates there is still clarity to come in terms of the budget and adds the resource budget is still lower than it was at the start of the decade.

Bruce Crawford says this is the most challenging situation facing the Scottish people since the establishment of the parliament

He asks about the £5bn emergency response fund announced by the chancellor.

The first minister answers the government has been liaising with the Treasury and pledges all coronavirus consequentials will go to tackling the outbreak.

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• There are two tranches of money going to Holyrood from the Treasury, including £360m or so to tackle the health crisis.

• Rishi Sunak's Budget will have raised expectations that Kate Forbes will follow his lead in Scotland, on support for business and a hardship fund through councils.

• There are now so many holes in the business rates system that it looks ripe for major surgery, or replacement.

Holyrood is to get a down-payment of about £360m to help Scotland through the coronavirus pandemic.

That's the ballpark figure for the share of funding that will head to Holyrood in lieu of measures being introduced in England, much of that for business.

It is part of £700m expected to flow to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the decisions announced in Wednesday's Budget at Westminster to help the economy through the crisis.

That includes a share of the £500m hardship fund, which the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced will be distributed through English local councils.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford seeks a response to the UK government's budget.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks about those with lung capacity issues and she calls for the first minister to institute isolation measures now, not later to prevent more deaths.

Ms Baillie says don't wait until next week and calls on the first minister to accelerate the introduction of isolation measures.

Ms Sturgeon says she's not an expert, but is guided and informed by experts.

Issues have been discussed with CMO, and specific advice for those with specific conditions will be issued.

Behavoural changes may be in place for a significant period of time, so advice should be right and reliable, she says.

Green MSP Andy Wightman says the insurers of a nursery he is aware of are not adding coronavirus to its notifiable diseases list.

The first minister says she is aware of insurance issues and it is being looked into.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson pivots to school closures and forthcoming exams.

The first minister says the education secretary has had extensive discussions with the SQA on contingency plans.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says Balhousie care group has closed its doors to non essential visitors - so what is the advice to vulnerable people when potential carriers aren't showing symptoms.

Have the risks been calculated, he asks?

Ms Sturgeon points to official advice, and says the government is looking at future official advice for care homes.

Mr Rennie asks how the government will create enough isolated spaces in hospitals for those with the coronavirus.

The first minister says the government is seeking to double the provision of intensive care in the coming weeks

This will have a significant impact on elective procedures, she explains.

Constituency questions about ferry services to Arran, the potential delay of the Sheriffhall flyover and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are asked.

Ms Sturgeon reiterates the message that people who have symptoms of coronavirus self-isolate.

The first minister adds the general advice about hand washing and hygiene remains as important as ever.