Coronavirus updates: Wednesday 25 March

News:

1. We are into the second full day of lockdown in the UK.

We are still being advised to only leave the house for four reasons: to shop for basic necessities, to take exercise once a day, for medical reasons, to care for a vulnerable person, or to travel to essential work that cannot be done at home.

2. We are expecting the chancellor to make an announcement about the self-employed.

He posted on Twitter yesterday to say: "We understand the situation many self-employed people face at the moment and are determined to find a way to support them.

"I will be making a further announcement on this in the coming days."

3. Jeane Freeman confirmed parking charges will be removed from hospitals.

From 30 March, it will be free to park at Ninewells in Dundee, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Glasgow Royal Infirmary for a period of three months.

4. First Minister confirmed those on building sites shouldn't be working.

Nicola Sturgeon says they should close unless the work is essential - like building a hospital.

5. 250,000 volunteers are being sought to help the NHS.

11,788 people have “answered the call” to return to work for the NHS since the appeal was made at the weekend.

A new hospital will be opened in Lodon next week. NHS Nightingale will have two wards of 2000 people.

You can apply to volunteer here.

6. Fabric and curtain business Remnant Kings has gone into administration.

The company, which employs 32 people at stores in Glasgow, Hamilton and Edinburgh, says cashflow difficulties have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak.

7. Vehicle owners will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from 30 March. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition, and garages will remain open for essential repair work. Drivers can be prosecuted if driving unsafe vehicles. Advice on keeping a vehicle in a good condition can be found here.

Travel/Transport:

1. The Subway in Glasgow will be stopping services at 9pm each night but is continuing to run services in between times until further notice.

2. ScotRail is encouraging commuters to only use its services if they are a key-worker or it is absolutely essential.

3. Glasgow City Council suspended parking charges.

It's to help support key workers who need their cars to travel during the outbreak.

Closures/Suspended Services:

1. Most retail businesses have now closed - Sports Direct u-turned their decision and closed yesterday.

2. Glasgow city council is suspending collections of purple glass bin and brown food waste bins as a response to the Coronavirus.

A statement issued online by the City Council is instructing residents to put their food waste in the general bin and to double bag rubbish if any household members are displaying symptoms of Covid-19.

3. The collection of all recycling bins in East Dunbartonshire council has also been suspended until further notice.

Residents are being advised to wrap food waste in newspaper or plastic bags and putting this into the grey bin.

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