October 2020 - Page 3 of 10

First Minister Statement: Covid-19 Scotland’s Strategic Framework

Posted on October 27, 2020October 27, 2020 by Melanie Allen

27^th October

Background

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out the changes to the proposed strategic framework document that was published on 23^rd October and MSPs then debated the Scottish Government’s plans.
The Scottish Government have published a draft protection levels table[1], indicators table[2] and a letter to COSLA[3] which provide further detail of the changes.
The Scottish Government had engaged with opposition party leaders and business stakeholders over the preceding days.
This statement and debate did not outline what areas of Scotland would be subject to specific levels of restriction. That will follow this Thursday.

Main Announcements

The Scottish Government will take a proportionate and targeted approach to coronavirus restrictions across the country.
The FM stressed the flexibility of the system, confirming the detail will be kept under review.
The overall aim will be to get every area to Level 1 and then to Level 0 as quickly as possible.
A postcode checker will be launched for individuals to check which level of restrictions apply to their area.
On the specific levels, the FM said the following in terms of the overall approach:
Level 0: Similar to what Scotland experienced in August 2020
Level 1: Similar to what Scotland experienced in mid-September 2020
Level 2: Similar to current non-Central Belt restrictions
Level 3: Similar to current Central Belt restrictions.
Level 4: Similar to a full lockdown with closure of all non-essential shops. Would be a short, sharp intervention. However, six people from two households could meet outdoors. Manufacturing and construction would remain open.
Across all levels, the Scottish Government would expect schools and childcare to remain open.
The FM also provided details of how the restrictions would apply to the hospitality industry:
Level 0: hospitality to operate almost normally subject to rules on physical distancing, limits on numbers and table service only.
Level 1: similar to baseline level but with curfew closing time of 10:30pm rather than 10pm.
Level 2: similar to restrictions in place outside the central belt, with normal operations outdoors and an early closing time. The closing time will again be extended to 10:30pm. At present, some premises can serve food and non-alcoholic drinks indoors only until 6pm. At Level 2, this will be extended to 8pm and alcohol will be permitted with main meals.
Level 3: similar to current restrictions which have seen only cafes open in the central belt until 6pm to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks. But, unlike the present, pubs and restaurants will also be able to open to serve both food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Level 4: Hospitality closed.
The FM also gave an indication of what levels would apply to certain parts of Scotland but emphasised that no final decisions had been made:
The central belt areas currently under the tougher restrictions are likely to be in Level 3. Most of the country is likely to be in Level 2.
The Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Moray might go to Level 1.
Dundee City might go into Level 3, while North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire may go into Level 4.

Next Steps

On Thursday, prior to FMQs, the FM will set out what levels will apply to each area of Scotland
This will then take effect on 2 November and will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

[1] COVID-19: SCOTLAND’S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK: LEVELS TABLE

[2] A levels approach to suppression of COVID-19-draft-25-october-2020

[3] letter-to-cosla

Industry Letter to Government: Tourism Sector Urges Regulations Rethink

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Melanie Allen

Leaders from across Scotland’s tourism industry have called on the Scottish Government to delay its plans for regulations that threaten to cripple short-term letting.

The group of 38 prominent figures from across the industry has written to Minister for Local Government, Housing, and Planning, Kevin Stewart, and his ministerial colleagues, warning him that licensing poses a significant threat to the £723million sector at a crucial time.

Signatories include the ASSC, UKHospitality, Scotland Food and Drink, Airbnb, the Federation of Small Business, the Confederation of British Industry, and the Scottish Chamber of Commerce.

The letter argues that the changed circumstances since the hastily cobbled-together ideas were first proposed mean that they are even less fit for purpose than previously thought.

Self-catering, a key component of Scotland’s tourism offering, has played a vital role in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

ASSC members shut down their properties early and worked to develop strict, government-backed, cleaning protocols in order to reopen safely and get Scottish tourism moving again.

The proposed licensing scheme, and other regulations, has sent a chill through the industry, causing self-catering operators to consider their futures and think about them much more negatively.

The ASSC, which represents the self-catering industry in Scotland, has worked closely with the Scottish Government for some time and is now calling on ministers to listen to its expert advice and that of the other organisations signing the letter.

Furthermore, all signatories to the letter have expressed a sincere interest in working productively with the Scottish Government in the future to ensure that the tourism sector works for everyone who depends on it.

ASSC Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“The regulations that self-catering is facing may well inflict the kind of damage on our vital sector, key to creating the memory-making holidays Scotland is famous for, from which it will never recover.

“That is why our friends, peers, and colleagues from across Scottish tourism have joined with us to send this clear, unambiguous, and direct message to Mr Stewart and his ministerial colleagues – rethink this or you’ll hurt us irreversibly.

“COVID-19 has done a lot of damage to Scotland’s economy, the last thing we need is to compound it with this poorly thought out, ham-fisted, and counterproductive act of sabotage”

Letter to Kevin Stewart MSP 26 October 2020

Scotland’s Strategic Framework Consultation

Posted on October 24, 2020October 24, 2020 by Fiona Campbell

A five-level framework which will allow for a refreshed strategic approach to suppressing COVID-19 outbreaks across Scotland was published yesterday, 23 October.

This morning (24 October), ASSC was invited to engage with the Scottish Government, prior to a final version of the strategic framework being debated in parliament next Tuesday (27 October).

This was a valuable call, at which we were able to identify the sector specific issues that will impact on self-caterers. Our key points were around:

Financial support
Travel restrictions
Insurance

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to ensure the right framework is secured.

Hospitality Level System Consultation Call