Coronavirus Daily Update: Schools to close, events cancelled and more community action.
Everything you need to know today..
Last updated 18th Mar 2020
National & International Updates:
As of Friday, all British schools will close their gates for the foreseeable future - with some exceptions.
Scotland, shortly followed by Wales were the first to announce the measure. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his speech at 5pm that schools across England would shut as of Friday - with some children still asked to attend, such as those with parents working in the NHS. Northern Ireland also announced these actions.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she could not guarantee if schools would be open again before the Summer holidays.
The death toll from Covid-19 has risen to 104, three of which have happened in Scotland - with 227 cases north of the border.
Meanwhile, the border between the USA and Canada has been closed to all none essential travel.
TV Soap Coronation Street also announced they'd be suspending any 'kissing scenes'.
In the North East:
Some local schools will shut earlier than is being enforced by central government.
Mearns and Turiff Academys will close from Thursday 19th of March to all pupils S1-3. With the rest of the school not coming in past Friday.
Peterhead and Kemnay will have similar action, but Friday the 20th of March will be the only day of partial closure.
Alford Primary and Barthol Chapel are closing immediately as of the 19th due to staff shortage.
The University of Aberdeen Announced they'd be postponing all 2020 graduations:
Aberdeen Inspired, who organise the annual Nuart street-art festival have said they are postponing the event - which was set to begin at the end of April - until further notice. They say they still hope to host the event, but will name a date when it is 'safe and appropriate' to do so.
Read more about that here: https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/local/news/aberdeen-nuart-festival-postponed-due-to-coronavirus/
Aberdeen City Council have been forced to close some of their buildings:
Something a bit more positive:
We've continued to see positive action from communities around the North East in helping those who need it most.
We heard this afternoon from a Stonehaven Salon collecting essentials to give out to those stuck in their house.
You can hear about that story, and other uplifting stories in our Twitter thread: