Tory MSP Graham Simpson asks about final-year university students and school pupils to sit their exams.

Education Secretary John Swinney says it will be for individual universities to decide on how they handle accreditation.

The SQA has highlighted three options for schools: exam diet proceeds, is delayed or the SQA undertakes accreditation based on evidence available to them.

National Museums Scotland has announced the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum will close to the public from 17:00 until further notice due to the coronavirus.

All scheduled exhibitions and events will be postponed, including the display of the Declaration of Arbroath.

SNP MSP Shona Robison expresses concern about people being unable to front-load their energy meters as they go into self-isolation.

Ms Campbell says the energy companies must play their part in this by giving meters credit.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says GPs have contacted him about receiving protective equipment supplies which have passed their expiry dates.

The health secretary says she is aware of this issue and resupply is being co-ordinated.

Supplies have been issued in accordance to Health Protection Scotland guidance, she adds.

Tory MSP Ruth Davidson says many people in Scotland are entirely depending on care workers visiting their homes. She asks about contingency plans when staff start self-isolating or have to prioritise their own care responsibilities.

Workforce planning to ensure resilience is ongoing, says the health secretary.

This includes looking at what services can be paused for staff to be redeployed where they are more vital, she adds.

SNP MSP Emma Harper says many people are wishing to help and she asks about guidance for co-ordination of support to help vulnerable groups.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campell says the government is engaging with Cosla to respond to the need for guidance and support, including for volunteers.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack says a staff member at a major retailer has recently been sent home without pay for having a scarf covering her mouth. We must ensure staff have the right protective equipment, she adds.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes offers to look into the specific case further, adding that it is important that businesses protect their workers.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says Irvine and Troon Cancer Care is limiting the number of patients it can transport per vehicle to one, down from three. He asks about support for increased costs.

The health secretary says she is happy to have discussions with organisations facing increase costs as they continue to deliver services.

SNP MSP Kenny Gibson highlights that the majority of residents on Cumbrae are over 75 and asks about the supply of essentials to the island.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says general stores in remote places should continue to receive supplies as happens in cities, and confirms he has had discussions with supplies on this matter.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks why the Scottish government is not following WHO guidance on testing "to the letter".

Nicola Sturgeon says she has taken great care to understand advice and reiterates that testing every person in Scotland with symptoms would result in resource being taken away from healthcare services.

We will continue to consider expansion and the development of quicker testing, she adds.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks about plans for coronavirus impacting prisoners and staff.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf confirms plans are in place and sufficient PPE has been provided for 10 weeks.

This will be kept under review, he adds.

Where symptoms are being displayed, prisoners are being isolated but we are ensuring visits and other activities continue where possible, he says.

SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing asks abut how people should deal with everyday illness without putting pressure on services.

Ms Freeman points patients to the NHS Inform website.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart highlights that there is no intensive care unit in Shetland and asks about transport to units on the mainland.

Ms Freeman confirms the Scottish Ambulance Service will ensure the transfer of any patients from any of the islands.

Image source, g

National Museums Scotland has decided to close all its sites in response to the impact of COVID-19.

This means the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride and the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle will be closed "until further notice".

All scheduled exhibitions and events will also be postponed, including the display of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie says there are still vast numbers of people in poverty and facing workplace exploitation.

This crisis is exposing their vulnerability like nothing before, Mr Harvie points out, adding that some employees are being forced to turn up to work with symptoms.

"Fair work is very important to this government," replies Ms Hyslop.

Businesses and employers must follow the advice in terms of people working, she adds.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks ministers to ensure social care providers are paid for services they are commissioned to deliver irrespective of Covid-19 impact.

She also says workforce planning in the sector assumed a 4% sickness absence rate but projects suggest it could hit 20%.

Ms Freeman agrees social care is critical at this time and says the government is looking at resilience in the workforce, including possibly using final-year nursing students.

Tory MSP Gordon Lindhurst asks about the difficulties facing self-employed people and the assistance available to them.

The Scottish government will do what it can to help, including in terms of the rate system, replies the economy secretary.

Ms Hyslop says the issue of support is for the DWP and Job Centres and details discussions she has had with them.

SNP MSP Bob Doris says he discussed a project this morning to map emergency food need, welfare and benefits, and energy needs.

He wonders about assistance for community-level projects in both practical and financial terms.

Ms Campbell says one of the positive things to have come from the situation is the desire and need to help those most vulnerable in our communities.

This is the sort of work we want to support, she adds.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith asks a question on behalf of final-year nursing students who may be called up, in relation to pay bands, support and insurance.

The health secretary says she is grateful to all the final-year nursing and midwifery students who will step forward to help, and points out the decision is for them and is voluntary.