Covid-19 Archives - Page 25 of 63

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist has been published. This guidance is for the tourism and hospitality sectors in Scotland. It remains in effect until further notice. It will be kept under review.

Statutory guidance for the hospitality sector was implemented on 14 August 2020. This remains current for the next reopening phase of the sector from 26 April 2021.

The sectors covered by this guidance are diverse with broad reach across Scotland’s economic landscape, encompassing many thousands of businesses of varying models and size. It is therefore necessary for this guidance to take a strategic approach, but it is designed for use by:

all accommodation providers (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering, caravan/holiday parks etc. )
visitor attractions
marine and adventure tourism
other activity or experience tourism operations/centres
tour operators
pubs, cafes, restaurants and general hospitality
retail aspects of tourism
natural spaces insofar as they relate to tourism, such as the National Parks
funfairs and amusement parks (static and mobile)
licensed bingo clubs
casinos
guided walking tours

Scotland’s Top Holiday Homes Booked Out

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, welcomed this week’s announcement that cross-border travel would resume on April 26 but demanded “urgent further clarity” on when larger cottages and apartments can reopen to multiple households.

Only one household can visit self-catering accommodation from April 26, rising to four people from two households from May 17.

She said: “Our members haven’t seen a significant uptake in bookings following the announcement but we did see a spike in bookings earlier this year and we’re all excited to see guests returning to our properties.

“The news that our members who operate their properties in Scotland’s island communities will not face the additional barrier of travel restrictions and will be treated the same way as those in the rest of the country is also most welcome. However, self-catering still faces serious uncertainty, caused by the lack of an indicative date for those larger properties which has the dire consequence of making them unviable for the foreseeable future.

“What is also needed, especially for those larger businesses, is more financial support from the Scottish government, which we believe must be in place until Scotland enters level zero.”

Strategic Framework: Levels Protection

Posted on April 13, 2021April 20, 2021 by Fiona Campbell

Today the First Minister gave an update on changes to COVID-19 restrictions. She said, while the data will continue to be monitored, there is now extreme confidence that parts of the country currently in level 4 will move to level 3 on 26 April. Island communities currently in level 3 will likely remain at that level for three further weeks.

Read the full statement here.

The timetable for easing restrictions sets out how and when we plan to lift the current coronavirus restrictions.

Read the full Framework.

Answers to other Frequently Asked Questions.

Indicatively, from 26 April – guests from one household can stay overnight in self catering.

Indicatively, from 17 May – four guests from two households can stay overnight in self-catering (in line with ‘up to four people from two households can socialise indoors in a private home or public space’).

This is either 4/2 or a single household. If you have a large household (more than 4 people) you can’t add anybody else. The only exception would be if they are in an existing support bubble with the main household.

“If circumstances permit, I can confirm that it would be the intention to move to level 1 on Monday 7 June, before then I hope moving to level 0 in late June – and then as we go into the deeper part of the summer, to something much more like normality, over the course of July.” First Minister

Indicatively, from 7th June – Up to 6 people from up to 3 households can stay in self-catering accommodation.

Indicatively, level zero by late June – Maximum of 8 people from up to 4 households.

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

“While the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers welcomes today’s announcement of a relaxation of travel restrictions across Scotland there still remains an urgent need for further clarity as to when larger self-catering properties can welcome multiple households which must be addressed.

“As restrictions are lifted, our guests and visitors can be confident in the knowledge that self-catering is safe, hygienic, and is a minimal risk environment in which they can enjoy a well-deserved break.”