The first minister has asked builders in Scotland to down toolsBuilders must down tools and shops selling non-essential items must close to stem the rising number of coronavirus deaths in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said. Another four people have died, taking the total Scottish death toll to 14, and the number of confirmed cases jumped by a fifth in a single day to 499. The first minister demanded the closure of pubs and restaurants last week, and has now extended the guidance to shops selling non-essential items, with food stores and pharmacies amongst the limited number allowed to continue trading. She reiterated the guidance to stay at least two metres away from other people, and condemned revellers who held house parties or busy barbecues and picnics in public parks over the weekend. Scotrail has cut the

Source: The Times March 23, 2020 17:03 UTC