Coronavirus: Gatherings of 500 people banned from Monday
● Schools remain open for now – but all pupil trips overseas should stop ● NHS Lothian has highest number of Covid-19 cases, with 11 of 60 in Scotland
Mass gatherings across Scotland of 500 people or more will be cancelled from next week to combat the spread of coronavirus.
And although schools will not close at the moment, Nicola Sturgeon has warned this measure remains under review and could yet mean a widespread shutdown lasting months. School trips abroad have been banned.
The First Minister warned that Scots will now have to “change the way they lead their normal lives” as the country yesterday moved into the “delay” phase after efforts at “containment” came to an end as cases soared. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “the worst public health crisis for a generation”.
In total, ten people have now died in the UK after contracting the virus, with 596 cases confirmed across the UK. The number of confirmed cases in Scotland almost doubled from 36 to 60 in the latest daily figures.
Any Scots who now experience symptoms of coronavirus such as a persistent cough or temperature are being asked to “self-isolate” at home for seven days then seek advice if they don’t improve.
Global measures to combat the spread of the virus have stepped up a gear with the US banning flights
from Europe – but not the UK – and shops having been closed in Italy.
Major sporting events are also being plunged into doubt, with question marks last night over whether this weekend’s Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix would be cancelled. Uefa is to meet next week to discuss the possible postponement of this season’s Champions League and Europa League and this summer’s European Championships, which is scheduled to see games staged in Glasgow.
The announcement on mass gatherings will only apply in Scotland and means that football and rugby matches face being played behind closed doors if they go ahead at all, while concerts at major events could be axed. Guidance will be produced before Monday on the likely impact and how event organisers should respond.
Although there is no scientific advice that these events will speed up the spread of the virus, there are concerns they will tie up emergency workers like the police, ambulance service and voluntary health services who will be needed elsewhere.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Event organisers should take action now to help our emergency services deal with the scale of the challenge we face with coronavirus.
“Our frontline services are doing a fantastic job, but they are already under pressure, which will increase as the number of cases in Scotland rises. The emergency services are well prepared to deal with this outbreak, but mass gatherings, such as large football and rugby matches as well as concerts, can have a significant impact on emergency service resources.”
However, the Monday deadline means this Sunday’s Old Firm match can go ahead.
The First Minister said the decision on closing schools remains “under close, ongoing review”, adding their closure would have a direct impact on front-line staff who are parents.
And health secretary Jeane Freeman warned that any schools shutdown – which has already happened in the Republic of Ireland – could last some time.
“If it gets to the stage where the advice is to close schools, this will not be for a week or two weeks,” Ms Sturgeon said. “This is something that would be advised to last throughout the peak of this infection, and that is potentially until the summer period.” The advice now is for people to stay at home if they begin to experience symptoms of the virus.
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said the country was well prepared for a “significant outbreak”. But she added: “There is currently no treatment or vaccine. Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Following scientific and clinical advice, we have moved from containment to delay and that means we are advising all those experiencing symptoms which may be coronavirus, including those with mild symptoms, to stay at home.
“People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”
The Prime Minister chaired an emergency Cobra meeting yesterday that Ms Sturgeon took part in.
He warned afterwards that the virus is going to “spread further”. He added: “I must level with you, I must level with the British public, many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.”
The latest two deaths were an 89-year-old and a woman in her 60s – at two hospitals in London. They both had underlying health conditions.
Brexit talks and Labour leadership results fall victim to virus - and elections may follow
The second round of Brexit trade talks and next month’s Labour leadership election results announcement were both cancelled over fears about the spread of coronavirus, with the UK’S election watchdog also calling for local polls in May to be postponed.
UK and EU officials announced that next week’s round of talks in London would not take place, with options for teleconferencing being explored.
The UK Government has ruled out any extension to the December 2020 deadline for a trade deal to be agreed, despite concerns that the virus could derail talks.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party effectively ended the ongoing leadership contest by cancelling remaining hustings events as well as a spe
Paris Gourtsoyannis
cial conference to announce the results as a precaution.
Members and affiliated supporters have been voting by online ballot since February. Scheduled constituency party meetings will also be reviewed.
The Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru have already cancelled their spring conferences, with decisions expected from Scottish political parties.
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: “In light of the spread of coronavirus, Labour has cancelled the leadership elections special conference scheduled for 4 April.
“The final remaining leadership hustings event is also cancelled. And Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women’s Conference are postponed.
“The results of the leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Our priority is the wellbeing of our members and staff, and ensuring we fully contribute to the collective effort to protect public health.”
The Electoral Commission has written to the government calling for local and mayoral elections in England to be delayed until the autumn.
The UK’S elections watchdog said the decision related to the “growing risks” to the delivery of the polls, and warned that it “cannot be confident that voters will be able to participate in the polls safely”. The contests in May include the London mayoralty, and local elections across England.
In his letter to the Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith, Electoral Commission chief executive Bob Posner wrote that because preparations are already under way for voting on 7 May, “a decision now needs to be taken” on whether to go ahead with the elections.
“So voters can cast their ballot, polling station venues need to be secured, set up, staffed and accessed; we already know that local authorities have concerns about their ability to ensure this, particularly at the same time as continuing to manage other key services in the current circumstances,” Mr Posner writes.