Coronavirus: Holyrood may close to public

The Scottish Parliament may close to the public if the coronavirus outbreak worsens, it was confirmed today.

Ruth Davidson is the Scottish Conservative's member on the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.

Holyrood's corporate body has said that it will take scientific advice on the safety of the building remaining open to the public should the numbers affected by the virus continue to rise.

Hand sanitiser has already been installed at entrances, although the fingerprint authentification system at secure gates will continue.

She said the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) had met to discuss its approach to "pandemic planning".

"In terms of large gatherings, other legislatures such as the European Parliament have chosen to stop their engagement activities," she said. "To limit exposure to those that normally work in Holyrood we may choose to do the same if circumstances warrant that.

"But that would only be in the most extreme circumstances and would be informed by officials such as the Chief Medical Officer."

She added: "The corporate body is mindful of its duty to employees and those who work at the Parliament, and at present our focus is on promoting hand and respiratory hygiene as the main measures," she said.

Ms Davidson said that the SPCB would continue to monitor the situation and "steps may be increased in the future".