Covid-19 Archives - Page 17 of 63

Parliamentary Questions

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

The following Parliamentary Questions have been tabled by Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party:

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to larger self-catering units, accommodating seven or more people, that are unable to trade viably due to the effect of Covid-19 household meeting restrictions.

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the financial support available to larger self-catering units accommodating seven or more people.

To ask the Scottish Government what impact Covid-19 household meeting restrictions have had on the self-catering industry and what engagement it has carried out with industry on this matter.

To ask the Scottish Government how much consequential funding it has received from the UK Government to support larger self-catering units.

Expected answer date: 22nd June.

https://external.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Simple&Keyword=self-catering&ExactPhrase=True&DateChoice=0&SortBy=DateSubmitted&ResultsPerPage=10

First Minister’s Statement 8th June 2021

Posted on June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Today in a statement to Parliament the First Minister confirmed there was no immediate changes to the COVID-19 levels of protection that currently apply to different parts of the country.

The First Minister said it appears that vaccination may be reducing the proportion of people who require hospital treatment as a result of COVID-19 and there is some encouraging evidence that the length of time people spend in hospital is reducing, which may allow more scope to ease restrictions in the future.

However, she also said there is a need for continued caution while a significant proportion of the population has not yet had both doses of the vaccine and so remains more vulnerable to becoming ill and needing hospital treatment.

The Scottish Government is awaiting advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JVCI) on the vaccination of children aged 12 to 15 years old with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine after it was approved for use in those age groups by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. If the JCVI recommends the use of the vaccine for children aged 12 and over, their advice will be implemented as quickly as possible.

Read the full statement here.

While there is nothing specific to our sector, the following question was asked from one SNP backbencher:

In a response to a question on international travel from SNP MSP Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley), the FM urged against foreign holidays and called for Scots to support the local tourist industry – namechecking her ongoing conversation with the Scottish Tourism Alliance.

The full Official Report transcript of her statement and questions from MSPs is available to view here.

Guidance on COVID-19 Protection Levels has been published. The guidance sets out what you can and cannot do at each level.

Test and Protect Update on COVID-19 Testing

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

With restrictions easing and infection rates a concern in many areas, COVID-19 testing is more important than ever.

Lateral Flow Kits

Free lateral flow kits are now available to everyone in Scotland for twice-weekly asymptomatic testing, and these will be available for pick up without an appointment from many local walk-in or drive through test sites from 3:30 pm each day, or by ordering online or by phone.

NHS Inform includes information on the variety of ways to access home kits here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get a test if you do not have symptoms | NHS inform
Access the Lateral Flow Device Step-By-Step Guide with Professor Jason Leitch, which can be found in multiple languages here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to do a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test at home | NHS inform
Access the PCR Step-by-Step Guide with Dr Nicola Steedman, which can be found in multiple languages here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to do a PCR test at home | NHS inform

Links to Other Key COVID-19 Testing Information

NHS Inform Testing Self Help Guide: Self-help guide: Access to testing for coronavirus | NHS inform
NHS Inform Testing information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get a test if you do not have symptoms | NHS inform
Gov.scot Testing information: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Map with both asymptomatic testing sites and locations for picking up LFD test kits – Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)