Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton says many on statutory sick pay or who have just lost their jobs are experiencing huge pressures on household incomes.

What advice is given to local authorities who cannot pay council tax bills or need further help?, she asks.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell says the government is working with councils on local resilience plans.

We are working on a number of measures to support the financially vulnerable, including through the Scottish Welfare Fund, support for renters or helping those who are fuel poor, she says.

Further detail will be set out on Thursday, she confirms.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin raises concerns about businesses and their insurance cover

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop says there are no powers for the government to close pubs and restaurants, however the UK emergency legislation will provide those powers.

Ms Hyslop is clear those powers are needed.

Labour MSP David Stewart says the chief medical officer in England outlined modelling yesterday which suggested 50% of cases would occur in a three-week period, while 90% would occur over nine weeks.

Does the health secretary share this pandemic modelling, he asks.

She replies that she does recognise these numbers but says the aim of the measures announced yesterday is to bring them down.

This is the right to time take these measures as we begin to see a rise in case numbers, she adds.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks if parents should take a child out of school if a household is to isolate for 14 days.

Mr Greene asks about teachers who fall into a vulnerable group, for example those who are pregnant or have existing conditions.

Where a pupil is part of a household with symptoms then the 14 days applies to that pupil and the same applies to teachers, replies Mr Swinney.

The education secretary says the decision on school closures is under the power of local authorities, but discussions between the government and councils are ongoing.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says many constituents have asked about the closures of schools and protection for those with respiratory systems if they are not to close.

Education Secretary John Swinney says he has heard many of the concerns too.

He adds that the isolation announcements made yesterday regarding at risk people - i.e. those with underlying health conditions - also apply to school pupils.

We are in active discussion with local authorities on support given to schools, he adds.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon raises concerns from the Scottish Ambulance Service about the lack of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

She says a paramedic has contracted the virus after a call-out.

The health secretary says the ambulance service has already distributed supplies to a third of those who require it and efforts are continuing.

Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs says NHS staff are keen to get back to work if they are able to do so.

He asks about plans to extend rapid testing systems.

Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman says this work is under way, adding that we must be careful in considerations of who should be covered by these tests.

SNP MSP Angela Constance asks about the scientific advice both at home and abroad.

Ms Constance asks for assurances that the steps being taken are based on the best possible advice.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the scientific advice comes from primarily the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, with individuals drawn from a range of specialisms, including from here in Scotland.

Modelling from around the world is looked at, as well as the efficacy of various methods being considered, she adds.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says "we're all afraid" but he's comforted by the first minister's approach.

Businesses and people are afraid of getting food on the table, having a roof over their heads and ensuring business can continue after this he says.

What steps will be necessary to ensure all of this?, Mr Rennie asks.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop says the impact on the economy will be significant and discussions with UK ministers are ongoing to ensure they use every lever they have to ensure businesses stay in business and employment can continue.

This needs a global and UK-wide response in terms of the economic impact, she says.

Part of this is making sure banks deliver Ms Hyslop states.

In recent times it has been the country supporting the banks and it's now time for the bank to support the country, the economy secretary adds.

Image source, bbc

Alison Johnstone thanks the first minister for her statement and says she will work together cross-party.

The Scottish Green Party co-parliamentary leader says it is essential an amnesty from rent arrears and mortgage payments is put in place.

Ms Johnstone calls for a no-evictions policy to be put in place.

Ms Sturgeon replies that is what the government will seek to deliver.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell pledges that more details will be forthcoming in a statement on Thursday and agrees the issue of rent arrears is being looked at.

We can’t compound or make this situation any worse, she adds.

Nicola Sturgeon thanks Mr Leonard for his offer of support.

On testing she says it is important to listen to the WHO and other experts.

If we were to test everyone we would require significant resource that I think should be spent caring for people, she warns.

Ms Sturgeon adds that the advice for people who test positive would be the same as the advice being given anyway: that they should stay at home.

We are expanding GP sentinel testing, we will continue to test those in hospitals and we will test key health workers, she adds.

The first minister adds that the government is not ruling out expanding testing further if it will help fight the virus.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard says: "We must work together, stand as one and stand together with humility".

Mr Leonard quotes the head of the WHO who said: "Test, test, test."

He welcomes the Scottish government's announcement of surveillance testing of Covid-19, however it is clear not everyone will be tested.

The Scottish Labour leader asks for assurance for people who think they have the virus but won't be tested and also for more details about the increase in testing.

On the specific case Mr Carlaw raised, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says this is a disturbing situation and she asks for the details.

She says home-care support should not be removed if people have symptoms and says she will follow it up.

Ms Freeman adds that she will meet Cosla representatives tomorrow to ensure local authorities provide the support needed to all.

Image source, bbc

Nicola Sturgeon thanks Mr Carlaw for his comments and says she has never been less interested in party politics than she is now.

The first minister says in the battle to come we are all on the same side and we should never forget that.

She candidly says: "We will make mistakes, but we will strive at every turn to do the right thing."

Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw says he has every confidence in Nicola Sturgeon to lead the response to this crisis.

"This is a government for all of us, just as the government at Westminster is a government for all of us," he says.

The Scottish Conservatives will stand with the first minister and we must place our trust in the advice from professionals, Mr Carlaw adds.

He asks about support for those who receive at-home care, pointing to a case which came to him of a person having their care package removed as they exhibited symptoms.

Ms Freeman says for those in long-term care facilities there is specific guidance and the chief medical officer has also published advice about visitors and admissions.

She says discussions are ongoing with Cosla and third sectors to address the outbreak.

The health secretary tells the chamber this is a "watershed moment in our nation, in our world and most certainly in our NHS.

"This is going to take everyone, we all have a responsibility and we need everyone's help."

The health secretary says the safety and wellbeing of our NHS staff is a priority.

Last week we issued further supplies of protective equipment to health boards for distribution to GPs, she confirms, adding that she has written to health boards to ensure it is given out by 20 March.

We are also ready to support the social care sector with PPE and to increase the workforce capacity, she says.

Ms Freeman says the NHS will directly contact anyone who is immunosupressed next week so ensure stringent measures are in place to protect them.

Ms Freeman says the goal is a reduction in delayed discharges by at least 400 by the end of this month.

The health secretary highlights efforts to backfill with the return of staff to the NHS and by looking to deploy senior students.

She says a strong testing regime will be continued to ensure frontline NHS staff don't isolate unnecessarily.

Ms Freeman adds that monitoring will also continue targeting admissions to hospitals and social care and for care home outbreaks.