June 2021 - ASSC

First Ministers Briefing 29th June 2021

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

During her COVID-19 media briefing today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon covered the follow (29/06/21):

The FM confirmed that 3,118 new cases of COVID-19 had been found, 215 people were in hospital with the virus, and there had been one additional death reported. She further confirmed that 3,781,887 people had received a first dose of the vaccine and 2,701,195 people had received a second dose.
The FM stressed that an increase in cases can be traced to last Tuesday and that cases appeared to be slowing. She also noted that there was reason to believe that the vaccination programme was working.
The FM confirmed that the ban on travel to Manchester, Salford, and Bolton were to be lifted. However, she also confirmed that travel to Blackburn and Darwin were to remain in place.
Commenting on the “race” between the virus and the vaccine, the FM said that she was confident that it was still being won but that the Delta variant was moving faster than previous variants, which she noted was a cause for concern. The FM also spoke optimistically about rates of discharge and the fact that new cases were not prevalent among at risk age groups.
Pending the data, the FM said that the plan for lifting restrictions remained unchanged but urged Scots to be careful and called for “renewed care and vigilance”.
In closing her remarks, the FM called on Scots to stick by the rules and restrictions in place, test regularly, and come forward for vaccination.
During the following questions, Global Radio asked for the FM’s thoughts on “living with COVID” rather than eradicating it. The FM said that the dates that she put in place were connected with vaccinations rather than eradicating the virus. However, she did note that she thought the term was “a bit glib”. The Express asked what factors had been used in deciding policy on travel restrictions, specifically in terms of the recently lifted Manchester travel ban. The FM outlined that the gap in cases between the two areas and a range of other factors, including vaccination rates, had been considered. The Mail asked if the FM expected people who have received both vaccine doses to have greater freedom to travel over the summer. The FM noted that the vaccine roll-out was proceeding as planned and that she would take a considered view in the future.

Scotland’s tourism industry warns SNP’s new Airbnb crackdown plans fall short

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

SCOTLAND’s tourism industry has warned the SNP’s updated plans to require Airbnb-style short-term let properties to obtain a licence have “fundamentally failed” to address its concerns (Herald 26.06.21)

The Scottish Government has published its updated plans, which have been put out for another round of consultation, to require owners of short-term let properties to be licensed form their local council or face a penalty of up to £50,000.

The proposals were withdrawn before the election amid fears over traditional B&Bs being swept up in the legislation despite an initial consultation stating they would be exempt.

But business leaders in the tourism sector have criticised the updated plans, published as Holyrood shuts down for the summer recess, that will still require traditional B&B owners to secure a licence in order to operate.

After the proposals were paused by then housing minister Kevin Stewart, tourism and business leaders held discussions with officials to iron out issues.

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) tabled plans to allow businesses that met health and safety standards to opt out of the licensing scheme in favour of a simplified registration scheme, overseen by Visit Scotland – but ministers have confirmed the plans have been rejected.

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the ASSC, said: “The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and other tourism stakeholders engaged constructively with the working group on short-term lets to find solutions to the concerns raised in the last parliamentary session regarding the licensing order which was widely regarded as unfit for purpose.

“Unfortunately, the updated proposals do not strike the appropriate balance and only contains minimal changes. Contrary to commitments made, it has fundamentally failed to address the concerns of the tourism industry – and this is at a time when many businesses have been struggling due to the impact of Covid-19.”

She added: “An onerous licensing scheme is the last thing our sector needs at this challenging time. Our survey work demonstrates that around half of our self-catering operators would close their business if this came to fruition.

“It is not too late for the Scottish Government to change course and back Scottish tourism for a sustainable recovery. Our proposals for a mandatory registration scheme, which crucially addresses health and safety issues, will help to secure the Scottish Government’s policy objectives in a more cost-effective and proportionate manner.”

A spokesman for Airbnb added: “Airbnb has long called for clear rules that work for everyone in Scotland but we share concerns with the tourism industry that these specific proposals are too complex, costly and bureaucratic.

“That is why the tourism industry has put forward clearer proposals that will achieve the same goals while supporting local families and helping accelerate Scotland’s economic recovery. We remain committed to working with the Scottish Government through its consultation to ensure we get this right.”

Under the revised plans, bothies and some agricultural and crofting tenancies are now exempt – while local authorities can exempt premises from the requirement “for a particular occasion or for up to six weeks each year”, potentially saving owners who rent out properties during the festival season in Edinburgh from needing to obtain a licence, subject to rules set by Edinburgh City Council.

But traditional B&Bs will not be exempt under the updated plans and the ASSC’s registration plans have been discounted because they “would make the arrangements more complicated”.

Scottish Conservative local government spokesperson, Miles Briggs, said: “Before the election, the SNP finally listened to lobbying from the Scottish Conservatives and tourism businesses to ditch these plans.

“However, we warned at the time they were only kicking the decision into the long grass. They have now brought back these misguided proposals and snuck them out after parliament has broken up for the summer recess.”

He added: “They are clearly trying to avoid proper scrutiny on this issue. SNP ministers must fully engage with the industry in the coming weeks and listen to their serious concerns.

“The Scottish Conservatives are committed to standing with the sector to stand against these proposals, which are unworkable in their current format.”

The third round of consultation will run until August 13.

Under the proposed legislation, councils will now have until October 1, 2022, instead of the original April 2022 date, to establish a licensing scheme, with all short-term lets to be licensed by April 1, 2024.

Existing hosts and operators must apply for a licence by April 1, 2023.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Regulation of short-term lets is vital if we are to balance the needs and concerns of our communities with wider economic and tourism interests.

“Short-term lets can offer people a flexible and cheaper travel option and have contributed positively to our tourism industry and local economies across the country.

“However, we know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hotspots, high numbers of short-term lets can cause problems for neighbours and make it harder for people to find homes to live in.

“By allowing local authorities appropriate regulatory powers through a licensing scheme, we can ensure that short-term lets are safe and address issues faced by local residents and communities.

“It will allow local authorities to understand more fully what is happening in their areas and assist with the effective handling of complaints.”

Physical Distancing Review and the Updated Strategic Framework

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

The First Minister made a statement on 22 June accompanied by the publication of the Physical distancing review and the updated Strategic Framework.

First Ministers statement to the Scottish Parliament – Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s statement – 22 June 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update – June 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Review of Physical Distancing in Scotland – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Review of Physical Distancing in Scotland – June 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

What is happening with Physical Distancing

Physical distancing has been an important measure for helping to control the virus but we recognise that it is has had a severe impact on businesses, both on viability and profitability, and on individuals.
Today’s physical distancing review sets out the plan for reducing and then removing physical distancing, subject to confirmation based on data nearer the time.
The plan sets out that on the indicative date of 19 July, when the whole of the country is expected to be moved to level 0, the need for physical distancing will be no longer be required outdoors and physical distancing indoors will be reduced to 1m for all public settings. This means that indoor businesses will be able to work at 1m distancing from 19 July and outdoor parts of businesses will no longer have any physical distancing requirements, subject to confirmation nearer the time.
The new physical distancing rules which come into effect on 19 July will no longer require physical distancing between members of friendship / family groups, but they will be required to maintain a distance of at least 1 m from all others.
From 19 July – different households will be permitted to share a bedroom – although this will obviously be dependent upon capacity and appropriate bed spaces within rooms.
In public spaces within regulated tourist accommodation the rules about socialising indoors in a public space will apply. In level 0 a maximum of ten people from up to 4 households can socialise indoors in a public place. Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards the number of people permitted to meet but do count towards the number of households.
In self-catered or other unregulated accommodation, in house socialising rules apply, in level 0 a maximum of 8 people from up to 4 households can socialise in a private dwelling. Children under the age of 12 do not count towards the total number of people permitted to meet but do count towards the number of households.
If a large room or dormitory room (e.g. within a hostel or other similar venue) is being used by mixed / multiple groupings (but is within the 10/4 socialising rule) then a minimum of 1 m is required between different family and friends groupings. However, a friendship group sharing a dorm would not have to distance within their own group. They would however, have to distance from other groups. It is also important that as we relax the socialising rules, especially indoors, other mitigation factors and good practice regarding good ventilation and hygiene measures are adhered to.

What does moving beyond level 0 mean?

We will move beyond level 0 when we meet the gateway condition – which is all over 40’s having been vaccinated and assuming we are meeting our revised strategic aim of alleviating the harm of the virus (expected around 9 August, but subject to confirmation nearer the time).
When we move beyond level 0 and therefore out of the levels framework, almost all COVID restrictions will be removed for businesses and individuals. This will mean that all businesses can reopen and can operate without restrictions on physical distancing. For example this will also mean that weddings can take place with dancing and singing and mingling as before the pandemic.
From the indicative date of 9^th of August, there will be no household / number caps and physical distancing requirements will also be removed. This will mean that tourist accommodation will be able to operate on a more ‘business as normal basis’ albeit with appropriate hygiene and ventilation measures.
Please note that these dates are indicative and are dependent on the necessary conditions on vaccination and harm reduction being met.
We will however have to live with the virus for some time to come, so we will be asking people to stick to a set of baseline measures to stop the virus resurging and to protect those who do not have protection from vaccination. The baseline measures which we currently expect to retain beyond Level 0 include:
- Good hand hygiene and surface cleaning.
- Continued promotion of good ventilation.
- Requirement for face coverings in certain settings. At least for a period, we are likely to require the wearing of face coverings in certain settings – for example, shops and public transport.
- Continued compliance with Test and Protect, including self-isolation when necessary.
- Ongoing need for outbreak management capability, including active surveillance.
- A phased return to the workplace from Level 0 onwards, while encouraging a greater degree of homeworking than pre-pandemic. This will not only assist with controlling transmission of the virus, but also promote wellbeing more generally.
There are also likely to be targeted restrictions on overseas travel beyond Level 0. However, we will keep restrictions in place only for as long as necessary to respond to the threat of importation. These restrictions are reviewed regularly and will be relaxed when it is safe to do so.
Scottish Government colleagues will work with business organisations and sector teams to ensure effective guidance is in place and further detail provided on baseline measures prior to our move beyond level 0.