Event organisers ‘advised’ - but not forced - to halt mass gatherings

Across the country sport, music and other mass gatherings - for example the Edinburgh Marathons Festival - have already been voluntarily axed, to meet the threat of Coronavirus spread.

However others, including the Vibrations Festival planned for Falkirk’s Callendar Park in May (expected ticket sales 1,000) are “monitoring” the situation.

The guidance now asks organisers of all large events – indoors or outdoors – to cancel or postpone.

The Scottish Government does not currently have powers to cancel events, but is encouraging and advising organisers to “act responsibly to support the efforts of emergency services and the wider public sector” to prepare for increased numbers of cases of COVID-19 (Coronovirus).

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “At a time when there is severe pressure on our fantastic emergency and public services as a result of the virus, it is only right that we seek to remove unnecessary burdens on frontline workers.

“By advising organisers not to hold large gatherings of 500 people or more in Scotland we are enabling services to prioritise their resources to where they are needed most.

“This is just one of the ways that life will change in the coming weeks and months and while this will cause some disruption it will help us all to prepare for the virus and to protect ourselves and each other in the long run.

“As the amount of work required to fight COVID-19 increases over the next few days and weeks it is vital that people continue to follow the health advice such as handwashing and staying at home if you have any mild symptoms.”

The guidance does not apply to “other routine activities” such as school, travel and work.