AT the First Minister's daily coronavirus briefing this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon called on non-essential shops to close their doors immediately. 

The SNP leader thanked the stores that had already shut, but called on others to follow suit. 

At the briefing, she also announced that the number of confirmed cases in Scotland had risen to 499 while there had been a further four deaths, taking the total to 14. 

Her Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood added that those 14 deaths each likely represents 1000 people now infected with the virus.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Number of Covid-19 deaths in Scotland rises to 14

Calderwood added that for the 23 people currently in intensive care, each case likely represents a further 400-500 people who have become infected through them.

Sturgeon said: "My message to shops that are still open is this and it is clear, if you are not providing essential items like food and medicines then please also close now."

She said building sites and hair salons should also close.

The First Minister went on: "It has been clear to me that there are still too many people across our country who are being expected to, or expecting to, go to work as normal and this presents a serious and unnecessary risk of spreading the virus.

"I want to reiterate that if you run a business and if the nature of your business makes it difficult for you or your workers to work from home or to practice safe social distancing then you should close."

She added: "This morning I was asked on radio about building sites and hair salons and my advice would be to close."

The First Minister also confirmed the measures currently being taken, including the closures of bars, restaurants and other spaces and social distancing advice, will be in place for 12 weeks in the first instance.