Coronavirus updates: Monday 23 March

All the latest news flashes, details about new government measures and closures.

Published 23rd Mar 2020
Last updated 23rd Mar 2020

Updated Monday 23 March 10:50

News:

  1. Government advice is not to make any journeys that are not necessary, and to remain in your primary residence.

Boris Johnson also hit out at people flocking to parks.

The prime minister said: "It’s important people should be out exercising and that’s why parks are crucial, but we have to use them responsibly.

"You’ve got to follow the social distancing rule and stay two metres apart, otherwise we’ll have to bring in further measures."

  1. A new Scotrail timetable comes into practice today.

Scotrail announced last week that with the unprecedented global crisis, staff availability in ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland has been affected, as well as customer demand.

  1. CalMac Ferries are now only for island residents’ essential travel, or for supplies to get through.

It comes after residents in the Highlands and Islands hit out at people travelling there right now to avoid busy cities.

  1. Today is the first day all the schools across the country will be closed.

Children will still have to attend school if their parents are deemed to be key workers.

Major events:

  1. All remaining shows at the Glasgow Comedy Festival have been postponed or cancelled.
  1. All events at the O2 Academy until 31st March have been temporarily postponed.

Closures:

  1. Every Glasgow Life venue in the city is closed, it’s expected this will last until the end of April.
  1. The Kings Theatre is closed until at least 26th April.
  1. The Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow is closed.
  1. Costa Coffee has closed every branch in the UK from this evening until further notice.
  1. McDonald's is closing all restaurants across the UK and Ireland from 7pm tonight.
  1. Nando's has closed all of its restaurants.
  1. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has closed all its car parks and facilities including toilets in a bid to stop people arriving at the parks during the pandemic.