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Category: Covid-19

Further Scottish Government Restrictions to Tackle Covid-19

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

 The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced additional steps to help control the omicron variant of Covid-19 in Scotland. These measures were largely concentrated on the events and hospitality sector.

 
In her statement, the First Minister reiterated guidance on reducing the number of contacts to no more than three households in indoor settings. However, this remains advice and is not statutory. We therefore direct you to our previous statement of 20thDecember in terms of refunds.
 
We of course understand that some of your guests have already chosen to cancel bookings, or may be inclined to do so in light of developments, and you will be keen to understand if any financial support from government will be available.
 
The Scottish Government have released some limited details of funding packages for affected sectors. The £100m Covid support fund announced last week includes £3m for the tourism sector that will be delivered by Visit Scotland, to support businesses that their previous funds allowed. Today, the First Minister announced a further £275m of support, which draws on funding from HM Treasury, but full details of this have yet to be provided. The Scottish Government have stated that “an update will be provided on the breakdown and allocation of funding as soon as possible.”
At the present time, we have no idea what any future funding packages will look like.
 
The ASSC will continue to collate evidence of the impact of the guidance on our sector and will engage with the Scottish Government and STERG. Please bear with us and we will endeavour to keep you updated as much as possible.
 
Background
 
A full copy of the First Minister’s speech of 21st December can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-21-december-2021/
 
The updated rules and guidance relating to Covid-19 can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/

 

During her COVID-19 update today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon covered the following (21/12/21):

  • The FM confirmed that 5,242 new cases of COVID-19 had been identified in the last 24 hours. She also confirmed that 515 people were in hospital. She also noted that there were 37 people in ICUs and that 9 deaths had occurred, bringing the total to 9,790. Of those cases identified, 62.9 percent of cases had been found to be of the Omicron variant. The FM noted an acceleration in the booster vaccine programme, observing that well over half of the population had received a booster.
  • The FM outlined the impact that Omicron is having on sectors including the health service, social care, entertainment, and others, stressing its severity and the need for action.
  • The FM noted that the advice for Christmas will not change. However, she reiterated the advice previously given on keeping safe during gatherings. The FM urged Scots, from December 27, to limit their numbers of contacts, stay socially distant, and stay at home as much as possible. She also outlined new rules. From December 26, for a period of up to three weeks, a limit would be placed on large public events:
    • The limits will be 100 attendees at indoor standing events, 200 at indoor seated events, and 500 for outdoor events.
  • Turning to hospitality, the FM noted further “protections” that will be introduced. This will include mandatory table services and one meter social distancing between groups and no more than three households represented in any one group. She confirmed that eligibility and guidance for hospitality would be published later today. Further, she noted an extra £375million of business support would be provided, drawing together money from the Scottish Government’s own resources and HM Treasury funding.
  • In the following questions, both the Labour and Conservative leaders urged the FM to get funding to businesses as quickly as possible. The FM reiterated her plans and defended them as the best course of action. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton highlighted the needs of the events and tourism sectors in the context of testing. The FM said she understood the sectors’ concerns and stressed that the government was doing everything possible to provide support and increase capacity.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance Updates

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Updates to guidance have now been published via the links below for safer workplaces and hospitality. This requires businesses to revisit their Covid risk assessments and consider which measures / adaptations may be necessary for their particular setting and premise.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer businesses and workplaces – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

This will take effect from 00.01 Friday 17 December.

The guidance will support businesses and workplaces to put in place a range of public health measures that will help keep people safe, including enabling home working for those who are able to do so.

Masks should be worn in all businesses and workplaces, and retail and hospitality businesses should consider reasonable measures to reduce crowding and manage queues.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging further consequentials to deal with the sudden impact of the Omicron variant. Read the letter here.

A new COVID-19 ‘Living Safely This Winter’ Campaign has been launched. A core element of the campaign is advising the public to do a LFD test before mixing with others, travelling or visiting busy places. A stakeholder toolkit is attached which includes social animations and static images with suggested copy, posters, web banner and email signature assets that can be shared with audiences.

First Minister’s Statement, 14th December 2021

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

During her COVID-19 update today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon covered the following (14/12/21):

  • The FM confirmed that 3,177 new cases of COVID-19 had been identified in the last 24 hours. She also confirmed that 541 people were in hospital, with 2 patients confirmed as having the Omicron variant. She also noted that there were 38 people in ICUS and that 6 deaths had occurred, bringing the total to 9,725.
  • The FM noted that the Omicron variant was spreading “very rapidly” across Scotland and was spreading faster than any other before it. She highlighted that this may well lead to increased hospitalisations, increasing the burden on the NHS.
  • The FM stressed the importance of delivering booster jags to ensure protection against the new variant. She described upping the speed of vaccination as her government’s “top priority”.
  • The FM said that it was her government’s target to get everyone eligible to receive a booster jag by 31 December. As part of this, she pointed to an increase in facilities and staff as well as the removal of the time period that individuals must wait before leaving the place in which they get their jag.
  • Turning to the additional protective measures, the FM confirmed that businesses would be asked to increase their mitigations and would be informed shortly on what that would mean but that it will include working from home, protective screens, and controlling crowded areas in shops and retail businesses. She also said the government would be increasing the use of facemasks and other measures.
  • The FM called on Scots to reduce the amount of mixing with other households they are currently doing to break the chains of transmission. She said she was not “cancelling Christmas”.
  • The FM said that there was no additional funding in place to help businesses deal with the additional requirements in place, placing the blame on a lack of financing from the UK Government. However, she said that an additional £100million had been found in the Scottish Government’s own resources to help hospitality and other businesses – the detail of which the Finance Secretary would later announce. She also said that an additional £100million had been identified to help those self-isolating.
    • During the following session of questions, the First Minister was provided with a note that said the UK Government would be providing additional funding to the devolved governments.
  • On hospitals and care settings, the FM confirmed that there would be limits placed on how many visitors patients and residents would be permitted.
  • The FM closed by reiterating her upset at having to impose these additional restrictions and urged everyone to follow them.
  • In the following session of questions, in her reply to Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, the FM noted that it was her intention to ensure that the additional money confirmed for hospitality businesses would be with them as soon as possible. Responding to SNP MSP Paul McLennan, the FM said that she welcomed the additional resources from the UK Government in principle but required additional detail about it. Conservative MSP Craig Hoy raised the plight of hospitality businesses in his area, urging the FM to support them. The FM said that this was a matter under consideration. SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick criticised the UK’s funding arrangement’s impact on hospitality and asked the FM if she agreed with him, she did and called for the UK Government to provide more information. Conservative MSP Finlay Carson criticised the FM for removing ITV Border from the stations broadcasting her COVID-19 updates. The FM rebuked Mr Finlay, criticising his tone and what she saw as his insinuation that she didn’t want the South of Scotland to receive the information.