Daily Coronavirus Update - 23/3/20
Two major Perthshire hotels close and farmers across Tayside and Fife make desperate plea for people to take up berry picking jobs
Two iconic Perthshire hotels have closed their doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Crieff Hydro has shut for the first time since the second World War.
Gleneagles Hotel has also closed, but the gol course will remain open.
The virus is also having a strain on the agricultural industry.
Farmers across Tayside and Fife are making a desperate plea for people to pick berries.
Arbroath based Angus Growers is facing a shortage of over 3,000 workers this year.
James Porter's one of the soft fruit growers - he believes they play a vital part in delivering fresh goods to the country.
"Angus Growers produces around 12,400 tonnes of soft fruit per year. That is a key part of the fresh fruit and veg which supplies the whole of the UK," he said.
"It's vital we're still able to have access to healthy nutritious food during this period of uncertainty.
"I think we all have to work together to continue to do that, it's a crucial part of feeding our nation."
If you're interested in applying you can contact jobs.angusgrowers.co.uk or nfus.org.uk
National:
The UK could be placed in "lockdown" to force people to self-isolate.
It's after appeals to stay indoors were ignored by some over the weekend.
14 people have now died as a result of the virus in Scotland, with 499 confirmed cases.
Nicola Sturgeon's calling for non-essential shops to close immediately such as hairdressers.
In other news:
Former First Minister Alex Salmond has been cleared of all charges including attempted rape and sexual assault.
Outside at the High Court in Edinburgh he said: "Just over a year ago when we finished the civil action and judicial review I said I had great faith in the court system of Scotland.
"That faith has much been re-enforced today."
There are now questions about how the SNP and Scottish Government handled complaints.
SNP MP Jillian Cherry is calling for the party to carry out an investigation.
Hear all the latest news from across Tayside, Perthshire and Angus on the hour, every hour, at Tay FM. Listen on FM, via our Radio Tay app, on your DAB radio, online at TAYFM.co.uk, or say ‘Play TAY FM’ on your Smart Speaker.