Covid-19 Archives - Page 13 of 63

Revised Cleaning Protocols

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

The ASSC is working directly with Public Health Scotland on a review of the cleaning protocols in light of greater scientific knowledge of the Covid-19 virus.

We have identified key issues that we have asked for clarification on.

We should have a revised version shortly.

Level 0 from 19 July

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Today the First Minister confirmed to Parliament that all parts of Scotland not currently there will move to level 0 on Monday 19 July. Although there have been modifications made to the original indicative plans as a result of the challenges posed by the Delta variant.

From 00.01 on Monday 19 July, hospitality settings can open till midnight, where their licence allows, and customers no longer be required to pre-book a two-hour slots. However, customers will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect and to wear face coverings except when seated.

The physical distance requirement in indoor public spaces will reduce from 2m to 1m where there isn’t already a 1m rule in place and up to 200 people will be able to attend weddings and funerals.

Employers are being asked to continue to support home working where possible until we move beyond Level 0 and the limit on the size of outdoor group gatherings is to remain at 15 people from up to 15 households.

Further information on what Level 0 means for all sectors is available here and the First Minister’s full speech can be found here.

In addition, from 04:00 Monday 19 July, fully vaccinated travellers and children arriving into Scotland from Amber List countries will no longer be required to self-isolate and take a day eight test. Adults and children over 12 will still take tests before travelling and on day two after arrival. Anyone testing positive for or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will still require to isolate for 10 days.

The First Minister will provide a further update to Parliament in the week before the next review date on 9 August.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“Self-caterers with larger properties in Scotland who were listening to the First Minister today will find very little to be hopeful or optimistic about once again.

“While some smaller operators in our sector have had some good fortune, our larger operators continue to face the most dire circumstances and continued curbs on their activity until August at least.

“Bizarrely, the message that our sector is receiving, in lieu of actual help, is that it’s fine for thousands of people to gather round a football pitch but not for more than 8 vaccinated people to gather round the table of a nice, clean property in the Highlands.”

“As a sector, our ask is very simple; we’re not asking for more money but we do think that the government must redeploy a small part of its COVID-19 underspend promised to larger properties to help those in our sector who are still unable to trade, and to secure the jobs and livelihoods of those who work in it.”

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.