The Orange Order has axed future marches across Scotland due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said it was time for the “institution to play its part in supporting the Prime Minister’s initiatives”.
As well as the parades, all lodge meetings and social gatherings have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Following a Cobra meeting on Monday, Boris Johnson urged everyone in the UK to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, stop all non-essential contact and travel, and work from home if they could.
In a statement on Tuesday, The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said: “The most worthy grand master and the executive are of the opinion that we must act responsibly, in light of the Prime Minister’s recent actions and advice.
“The nation is on the cusp of an epidemic the likes of which we have never experienced. An unknown quantity.
“As an executive, we have a duty of care to the membership as a whole and recognise that there are elderly and vulnerable members with underlying illnesses who are experiencing great anxiety.
“The measures that the grand master has authorised are tantamount to the advice given by the Prime Minister, to avoid non-essential travel and contact with others to fight coronavirus.
“We are in uncharted waters and it would be remiss of the leaders of the institution to not take heed of the Government’s advice.”
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