Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon says "mass gatherings" of 500 people should be cancelled from Monday

  • UK government only considering banning major events at the moment says prime minister

  • From Friday, people with coronavirus symptoms should stay at home for a period of seven days

  • They should not call their GP or NHS 24 unless their condition deteriorates

  • UK coronavirus-related deaths rise to 10

  • There are now 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland

  1. FM says more help must be given to those who end up in hardshippublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    The first minister says the points about zero hours contracts mean we need to do more to help those who end up in hardship.

    She says we are going to face a significant challenge in the weeks to come and a significant number of us will get the virus

    Ms Sturgeon pledges to make sure her government will support those on the frontline.

    Mr Leonard says sufficient priority has not been given to our social care workforce and he calls for a reset on this issue today.

    The first minister does not agree social care has not been prioritised, but adds there is more work to be done there.

    She assures Mr Leonard all the support that can be given to social care workers "will be given".

  2. WATCH AGAIN: FM not advising schools to closepublished at 12:22 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  3. Postpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  4. What additional resources will be allocated to social care?published at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Richard Leonard

    The first minister says Mr Leonard is absolutely right to talk about protecting older people.

    She says the discussions at Cobra will focus on slowing down the spread of the virus and how to protect the most vulnerable, including those with the most compromised immune systems.

    Ms Sturgeon adds the contribution of social care will be absolutely vital and contingency plans will be in place.

    Mr Leonard says social care workers are the bedrock of our communities and they are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

    What additional resources will be allocated to social care he asks.

    The first minster reiterates there were helpful announcements in the budget and she hopes there is clarity on that soon.

  5. Background: Scotland must act fast to answer virus Budgetpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    BudgetImage source, Getty Images

    • 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.

  6. Leonard asks about extra social carepublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Labour leader Richard Leonard says older people are most at risk from the virus.

    What contingency plans are there for extra social care he asks.

  7. FM pledges cash for business supportpublished at 12:15 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Ms Sturgeon

    Mr Carlaw asks about plans to protect the Scottish economy, pointing to rates relief announced in the budget.

    The first minister says all the Barnett consequentials from the non-domestic rates decisions in the budget will go to supporting businesses here in Scotland.

  8. At moment schools will not be closed says FMpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Ms Sturgeon says it is important Scotland's resilience is protected if at all possible.

    She says obviously Cobra have not met yet and changes will be advised to parliament

    The advice is that we should not close schools and universities at this stage, she adds.

    She welcomes the announcements made in the budget about the coronavirus but adds there is not yet full clarity on it.

  9. Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  10. Postpublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  11. Cancellation of mass gatherings of 500 people or morepublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020
    Breaking

    The first minister says she will advise the cancellation of mass gatherings of 500 people or more from the start of next week.

  12. Guidance neededpublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    First minister

    Mr Carlaw asks for advice and guidance on whether the public should attend events.

    Ms Sturgeon says there'll be more guidance after the Cobra meeting, but says experts say canceling events won't have a great impact on fighting the virus.

  13. FM says there will be a sharp rise in cases todaypublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the daily update of the number of cases will be made at 2pm today.

    There will be a sharp rise in cases today and further evidence of community transmission.

    She says she will attend the Cobra meeting after FMQS and the move from containment and delay will be discussed.

    There will be new guidance to the public setting out what they will be expected to do starting next week, Ms Sturgeon says.

    The first minister stresses the need to protect the resilience for frontline NHS staff.

    This is a serious situation and there is no doubt we will be asking people to change their way of life, she adds.

  14. Postpublished at 12:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  15. Postpublished at 12:05 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

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  16. Background: Coronavirus cannot be contained for 'much longer'published at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Scotland has 36 confirmed cases

    People in Scotland should prepare for major changes to their lives as the response to the coronavirus is stepped up, the Scottish secretary has warned.

    Alister Jack said it would not be possible to contain the virus for "very much longer".

    The first case of coronavirus transmitted within the communitywas detected in Scotland on Wednesday.

    There are 36 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, according to Scottish government figures.

    Read more

  17. Carlaw asks about the coronavirus outbreakpublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Jackson Carlaw

    Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw says there is a huge public appetite for details about the coronavirus.

    Public concern has understandably increased, Mr Carlaw adds.

    He asks when the Scottish government expects to move to the delay phase.

  18. First minister's questions is next...published at 11:57 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    First minister's questionsImage source, bbc/PA
  19. Coronavirus statement postponed until Tuesdaypublished at 11:47 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey says the health secretary is required to participate in the Cobra meeting regarding the coronavirus and is unable to update the parliament today.

    The first minister will update opposition party leaders after the meeting and the health secretary will now make a statement on the Covid-19 outbreak next Tuesday.

  20. Coronavirus statement in the chamber cancelledpublished at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2020

    The coronavirus statement scheduled for 2.30pm in the chamber has been cancelled.

    Here's the new schedule for the afternoon:

    11.40 am: General Questions

    12.00 pm: First Minister's Questions

    12.45 pm:Members’ Business: Jamie Halcro Johnston – Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2020

    2.30 pm: Parliamentary Bureau Motions

    2.30-2.50pm: Portfolio Questions: Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity

    2.50-5.00 pm:Stage 1 Debate: Animals and Wildlife