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Coronavirus: Mass gatherings off for up to four months in Scotland Coronavirus: Mass gatherings off for up to four months in Scotland
(32 minutes later)
Mass gatherings in Scotland could be off for up to four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.Mass gatherings in Scotland could be off for up to four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As guidance for events involving more than 500 people comes into force across the country the first minister said it could last until the summer.As guidance for events involving more than 500 people comes into force across the country the first minister said it could last until the summer.
Nicola Sturgeon also warned Scotland faced an "unprecedented situation" and a "very challenging" few months.Nicola Sturgeon also warned Scotland faced an "unprecedented situation" and a "very challenging" few months.
Latest figures showed a total of 153 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, and one fatality.Latest figures showed a total of 153 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, and one fatality.
At a media briefing in Edinburgh it emerged the situation in relation to school closures could be different across the country.At a media briefing in Edinburgh it emerged the situation in relation to school closures could be different across the country.
Isolation advice for over-70s will be discussed at a UK government Cobra meeting later and guidance is also expected to be published soon for people with a compromised immune system.Isolation advice for over-70s will be discussed at a UK government Cobra meeting later and guidance is also expected to be published soon for people with a compromised immune system.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also updated the media on what action was being taken across Scotland, including;Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also updated the media on what action was being taken across Scotland, including;
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said that if the virus becomes a seasonal virus, she would hope there would be a vaccine in place by this time next year.Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said that if the virus becomes a seasonal virus, she would hope there would be a vaccine in place by this time next year.
It is anticipated there will be more clarity later on what elderly people will be asked to do following mixed messages from the UK and Scottish governments.It is anticipated there will be more clarity later on what elderly people will be asked to do following mixed messages from the UK and Scottish governments.
On Sunday UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they will be asked to stay at home for a very long time.On Sunday UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said they will be asked to stay at home for a very long time.
But on Monday Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said people over the age of 70 would be asked to self-isolate "as and when the moment is right" - but that they would still be able to go outside and "walk the dog".But on Monday Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said people over the age of 70 would be asked to self-isolate "as and when the moment is right" - but that they would still be able to go outside and "walk the dog".
Meanwhile, Scotland's national clinical director said older people across the UK would not be asked to stay at home.Meanwhile, Scotland's national clinical director said older people across the UK would not be asked to stay at home.
Speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Prof Jason Leitch addressed concerns about the apparent variation in advice.Speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Prof Jason Leitch addressed concerns about the apparent variation in advice.
Prof Leitch said over-70s would not be asked to stay at home but rather to reduce their social contact, for example by not going to a pub, bingo or church.Prof Leitch said over-70s would not be asked to stay at home but rather to reduce their social contact, for example by not going to a pub, bingo or church.
He added: "In fact, quite the opposite, we expect family contact to increase in that group so that those people will be looked after. The last thing that we want is four months of loneliness."He added: "In fact, quite the opposite, we expect family contact to increase in that group so that those people will be looked after. The last thing that we want is four months of loneliness."
On Sunday it emerged six residents at a care home in North Lanarkshire had tested positive for coronavirus.On Sunday it emerged six residents at a care home in North Lanarkshire had tested positive for coronavirus.
During the briefing on Monday Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government's driving priority would be saving lives and protecting the public.During the briefing on Monday Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government's driving priority would be saving lives and protecting the public.
She also confirmed daily briefings will be given to media to provide information and advice on tackling the pandemic.She also confirmed daily briefings will be given to media to provide information and advice on tackling the pandemic.
While health is devolved the first minister added that she expects there to be a high degree of commonality in decision-making across the UK as it is based on the same scientific advice.While health is devolved the first minister added that she expects there to be a high degree of commonality in decision-making across the UK as it is based on the same scientific advice.
'Act responsibly''Act responsibly'
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has reiterated its call for anyone attending a case or a hearing to stringently follow the current medical advice.
It was announced last week that as part of coronavirus planning, events involving more than 500 people should not go ahead from Monday.It was announced last week that as part of coronavirus planning, events involving more than 500 people should not go ahead from Monday.
Official guidance was published on Sunday for organisers, sports governing bodies, supporters and clubs.Official guidance was published on Sunday for organisers, sports governing bodies, supporters and clubs.
The government does not have the power to cancel events, but has called on organisers "to act responsibly".The government does not have the power to cancel events, but has called on organisers "to act responsibly".
On Monday Capital Theatres announced it will be immediately cancelling or postponing all performances at the Festival Theatre, The King's Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh throughout March and April as an initial measure.On Monday Capital Theatres announced it will be immediately cancelling or postponing all performances at the Festival Theatre, The King's Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh throughout March and April as an initial measure.
Customers who have tickets for events will automatically receive a full refund.Customers who have tickets for events will automatically receive a full refund.
Concerts, including Radio 1's Big Weekend in Dundee, have been cancelled while shows and major exhibitions have also been scrapped.Concerts, including Radio 1's Big Weekend in Dundee, have been cancelled while shows and major exhibitions have also been scrapped.
On Friday it was announced the Scottish football season has been postponed until further notice due to the virus.On Friday it was announced the Scottish football season has been postponed until further notice due to the virus.
Other events hit include Scotland's Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff.Other events hit include Scotland's Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff.
But horseracing is set to continue behind closed doors until the end of March and a meeting is being held at Kelso in the Borders on Monday afternoon.But horseracing is set to continue behind closed doors until the end of March and a meeting is being held at Kelso in the Borders on Monday afternoon.
Large gathering ban - what the government saysLarge gathering ban - what the government says