Hospitals in Scotland are restricting visiting as they try to protect patients and staff from coronavirus.

Guidance to health boards also raises the prospect of “deployment of some non-clinical staff to clinical roles” as NHS employers deal with an anticipated Covid-19 surge.

It comes as the number of cases in Scotland more than doubled over the weekend and non-urgent operations are cancelled to free up space in the health service.

Care workers are being advised they will need to wear protective equipment like gloves and masks when helping older people who may have the virus.

Interim working arrangements drawn up for NHS Scotland staff say those who look after loved ones should get time off for caring responsibilities if needed.

Annual leave could also be cancelled in order to protect services classed as essential, though no blanket ban is yet taking place.

Scotland’s largest health board NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde says only “essential” visits to patients who are seriously ill or undergoing treatment that affects their immune systems should be allowed.

Claire Pearce, nurse director of NHS Tayside, which is restricting visiting times to two hours a day, said: “All of our teams in hospitals want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection to our patients.

“We believe that visitors will understand that this is a very sensible step to take as we manage the evolving coronavirus situation.

“We are asking people to think carefully before coming into any of our hospitals to visit their family members and friends.

“For those patients in critical care areas and receiving end-of-life care, we would ask that visitors discuss visiting times locally with the senior charge nurse/nurse in charge of the ward.”