Large gatherings in Scotland are to be banned in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said it is "inappropriate that we continue as normal" and she will recommend the cancellation of gatherings of more than 500 people to protect front-line services.
Ms Sturgeon said she would be advising the cancellations to start from Monday. That is after the Scottish rugby team are due to travel to Cardiff for the Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday. Follow all the latest coronavirus developments here.
Speaking ahead of a Cobra meeting with other UK leaders, Ms Sturgeon said: "Mass gatherings are required to be policed, they require to have emergency ambulance cover, they require the services of our voluntary health services, and at a time when we need to be reducing the pressures on these front-line workers in order to free them up on the significant challenge that lies ahead, I do think it is inappropriate that we continue as normal."
The First Minister added that any decision on whether to close schools has not yet been made, in light of the anticipated move from the contain phase amid the coronavirus outbreak, to the delay phase.
Her statement came after Irish premier Leo Varadkar announced that all schools, colleges and childcare facilities in Ireland will close until March 29 as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
From 6pm, schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close until March 29, Mr Varadkar said. Cultural institutions will also close, he said.
The Government is also banning indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.
