Live: Coronavirus updates as Scotland goes into lockdown

7.49pm – ScotRail’s warning to passengers

ScotRail has fired a warning to passengers after used tissues have been found on train tables and seats.

Staff have been left to pick up after people, which the train operator said “isn’t fair on anyone”.

The operator said: “We’re seeing numerous reports from crews of dirty tissues being left on tables and seats. This isn’t fair on anyone.

“Our Train Presentation teams regularly clean our bins – inside and out – so please use them.”

7.40pm – Rangers player tests positive for coronavirus

Rangers defender Ross McCrorie – who is currently out on loan – has tested positive for coronavirus.

The 22-year-old, who is on the books at Portsmouth this season, is the fifth player at the English League One side to be diagnosed with Covid-19.

7pm – Campsites and caravan parks to close to visitors

Campsites and caravan and holiday parks are to close to visitors in response to the spread of coronavirus.

Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing made the announcement on Tuesday after a raft of sweeping measures were introduced by the UK Government.

Under the new plans, parks will close immediately to new arrivals and those occupying holiday homes or lets will be instructed to return home.

6.12pm – Coronavirus powers will be brought in immediately

Holyrood will act immediately to bring in new powers to clamp down on gatherings and shut down non-essential businesses that open up in the coronavirus outbreak.

The UK Coronavirus Bill is expected to gain royal assent on Wednesday, with MSPs unanimously passing a legislative consent motion in support of it on Tuesday.

The Scottish Parliament, which is now sitting only only one day each week, will have 28 days to approve the introduction of the powers.

Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell confirmed the Scottish Government will act to introduce the new powers as soon as emergency legislation at Westminster is passed.

He also pledged their use will be kept under constant review, in line with scientific advice.

Mr Russell told MSPs: “We have now taken the decision, as part of our response, to commence upon royal assent the powers within the Bill, which will ensure that all necessary enforcement action can be taken to implement social distancing and restriction on gatherings, events and operation of business activity without further delay.”

6pm – Pupils’ coursework will not be marked this year

Coursework completed by senior school pupils in Scotland will not be marked due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said.

The move applies to those sitting Higher and Advanced Higher courses and follows the cancellation of exams this year and the closure of most schools to all but the children of key workers.

Completed coursework can still be used by teachers and lecturers to help them estimate grades.

The decision was taken after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s address on Sunday, in which she instructed young people who still have coursework to complete not to attend school.

SQA chief executive Fiona Robertson said current public health advice “has meant that we have had to make some really difficult decisions about coursework”.

She said: “This means that for this year, schools and colleges are not required to submit learner coursework for marking, in Higher and Advanced Higher courses.”

5.43pm – Helicopter view shows vacant Buchanan Street in Glasgow

Helicopter view: Buchanan Street, Glasgow. <strong>Police Scotland</strong>”/><cite class=cite></cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true>Helicopter view: Buchanan Street, Glasgow. <strong>Police Scotland</strong> <cite class=hidden></cite></figcaption></figure><p>An image captured by a Police Scotland helicopter has shown people are heeding isolation advice in Glasgow.</p><p>With the shops shut and people told only to leave their houses for a small number of essential reasons, the city’s normally bustling Buchanan Street is empty.</p><p>Sharing the image on social media, police said: “Remember government advice and stay at home.”</p><p><strong>5.34pm – Police to have powers to arrest isolation flouters by end of month</strong></p><p>Police will have the power to arrest people flouting the government’s coronavirus guidance and force them into isolation, Scotland’s justice secretary has announced.</p><p>Defying the measures introduced in response to the Covid-19 outbreak will be a criminal offence, with officers able to detain culprits to protect public health.</p><p>The powers are expected to come into force by the end of the month.</p><p>Humza Yousaf also revealed inmates could be released if the prison system is overwhelmed by coronavirus.</p><p><strong>4.57pm – Buckfast production temporarily halted during pandemic</strong></p><p>The <a href=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/buckfast-production-temporarily-halted-during-pandemic?top>production of Buckfast tonic wine has ceased</a> with ‘immediate effect’ as a result of stringent new measures introduced to tackle the spread of Covid-19.</p><p>The company that manufactures the drink says its distribution network will now be freed up to play its part in “delivering vital essential commodities across the United Kingdom at this time”.</p><p><strong>4.35pm – Evictions to be banned for six months</strong></p><p>Evictions from the private and social rented sector <a href=https://news.stv.tv/politics/coronavirus-evictions-to-be-banned-for-six-months>will be banned for six months</a> under emergency coronavirus legislation.</p><p>The move was confirmed by communities secretary Aileen Campbell in the Scottish Parliament, as she said “nobody, as a result of the ability to cope with this pandemic, should lose their house”.</p><p><strong>3pm – Companies given acmes to £1bn business support fund</strong></p><p>A £1bn business support fund has opened to help companies deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Scotland’s finance secretary announced.</p><p>More than 90,000 ratepayers across the country will be able to benefit from the one-off grants, which are designed to help protect jobs, prevent business closures and promote economic recovery, the Scottish Government said.</p><p><strong>2.57pm – Livingston offer shares in club to fans who donate funds</strong></p><p>Livingston have promised to reward fans who support the club through the coronavirus shutdown with shares and access to their hospitality suites.</p><p>The Almondvale outfit are among a raft of Scottish clubs working on plans to ensure they can survive the impending cash-flow crisis.</p><p><strong>2.15pm – Hospital parking fees to be removed</strong></p><p>The health secretary says hospital staff parking charges will be removed from Monday from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.</p><p>These are the only three parking sites in Scotland that were run by private firms.</p><p><strong>1.50pm – Sturgeon says Scotland is ‘now on lockdown’</strong></p><p>Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister has reiterated instructions that people should only leave the home for basic necessities once a day, to exercise alone, for medical reasons or to support a vulnerable person or to travel to work if essential.</p><p>She added staying at home has become “the only way of saving lives”.</p><p>She told MSPs the Scottish Parliament will only meet one day a week rather than three “until the Easter recess at least”.</p><p><strong>1.40pm – Coronavirus death toll reaches 16 in Scotland</strong></p><p>The number of people who have died in Scotland from coronavirus has reached 16. </p><p>The total number of positive cases rises to 584 – an increase of 85 overnight.</p><p><strong>1.22pm – Businesses ‘will face repercussions’ for ignoring coronavirus advice</strong></p><p>People will take a “poor view” of companies flouting coronavirus closure rules, economy secretary Fiona Hyslop claimed.</p><p>She said: “I think the public will take a very poor view of people who are deliberately compromising the public health now.</p><p>“I think the reputations of a number of companies who are forcing their workforce to come in will be irreversibly damaged.</p><p>“Therefore they themselves need to think about that.”</p><p><strong>1.10pm – Scottish SPCA continues to rescue animals amid spread of coronavirus</strong></p><p>The animal welfare charity has announced its inspectors and animal rescue officers will continue to attend emergency reports of animals in need throughout the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p><strong>12.39pm – Japan asks to postpone 2020 Tokyo Olympics</strong></p><p>Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to be postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>Abe said he has agreed the delay with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach following talks earlier on Tuesday.</p><p><strong>12.28pm – Thieves target care homes in string of ‘sickening’ break-ins</strong></p><p>Police are hunting for a gang of thieves after <a href=https://news.stv.tv/west-central/thieves-target-care-homes-in-string-of-sickening-break-ins>three care homes were broken into</a> during the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>The string of “sickening” thefts took place across Inverness, Daviot and Kingussie over the weekend. </p><p><strong>11.58am – ‘More than 2500 Scots’ likely to have Covid-19 just now</strong></p><p>There are currently more than 2500 people likely to be carrying the Covid-19 virus in Scotland, health secretary Jeane Freeman has told MSPs.</p><p>She said the number of likely cases was based on the figure for confirmed coronavirus patients being treated in intensive care – 25 – multiplied by 100.</p><p>10.43am – <strong>UK mobile networks send ‘stay at home’ text</strong></p><p>For the first time in the UK, mobile networks are sending out an emergency government text message to your mobile.</p><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/90979988_144255000297828_3503901686638837760_n-e1585046802654.jpg width=959 height=698 srcset=

10.34am – Public warned over bogus services during coronavirus pandemic

Police Scotland is warning the public to be wary of strangers offering false services during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Across the UK scammers are setting up fake websites to sell products and offer so-called cures or testing kits, as well as requesting donations to help victims.

Chief superintendent David Duncan said: “Don’t give people money or your bank details if they come to your door and offer to do shopping for you if you don’t know them. And never give your debit or credit card and PIN to anyone.

“If you are self-isolating, let friends and family know and if in doubt about anyone offering services at your door, step back and take a few minutes to contact them for advice.”

10.15am – Fife Council closes all recycling centres with immediate effect

This applies to all centres:
• Closed – Cowdenbeath
• Closed – Cupar
• Closed – Dalgety Bay
• Closed – Dunfermline
• Closed – Glenrothes
• Closed – Kirkcaldy
• Closed – Ladybank
• Closed – Lochgelly
• Closed – Methil
• Closed – Pittenweem
• Closed – St. Andrews

10.07am – Winged Foot golf club preparations for US Open halted as course closes

The venue for June’s US Open has been closed indefinitely, with a decision on the staging of the tournament expected next month.

9.40am – Police won’t hesitate to use new powers to enforce lockdown

Police will not hesitate to use new powers which are to be brought in to enforce the coronavirus lockdown, Police Scotland’s Chief Constable has said.

Under strict new measures, people will only be allowed to leave home for a limited number of reasons, while non-essential shops have been told to close and public gatherings of more than two people are banned.

Nicola Sturgeon said that police are to be given powers to fine those who breach the new measures, with the new powers expected to be introduced later in the week.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said that in the meantime, officers will rely on people complying with what they are asked to do, but warned people against disobeying the advice.

9.30am – Lidl to install cough and sneeze proof checkout screens in all stores

The safety measure will see thousands of screens rolled out in supermarkets across the country in order to protect Lidl colleagues and customers.

9am – UK children can visit separated parents during lockdown

UK cabinet minister Michael Gove clarified details after being asked to provide more information on the government guidelines announced on Monday night.

I wasn’t clear enough earlier, apologies. To confirm – while children should not normally be moving between households, we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents. This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance https://t.co/Y3DTdIFo4M
— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) March 24, 2020

6.45am – Scottish Government demands Covid-19 help for self-employed

In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, economy secretary Fiona Hyslop and finance Secretary Kate Forbes demanded the Jobs Retention Scheme be expanded to the self-employed.

6.30am – Lockdown is under way as Scots told to stay at home

People have been ordered to stay at home and will only be allowed to leave for shopping for basic necessities or for exercise.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said as of Monday night Britons will only be able to go out for exercise once a day under the draconian measures.

Gatherings of two of more people are banned, except for members of your own household. People should go to the shops for essentials like food or medicine as infrequently as possible, the PM said, and should not go out to see friends or family members who do not live at their house.