COVID-19: FIRST MINISTER STATEMENT TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT – from 7TH OCTOBER 2020
CONTEXT
- In a statement to MSPs, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced new restrictions to stem the flow of Covid-19 amidst a backdrop of rising infections in Scotland, with more than 1,000 cases recorded in the past 24 hours.
- The First Minister reiterated that Scotland was not entering into another lockdown but was instead taking a series of targeted and temporary measures to tackle the rise in Covid-19.
- The Scottish Government published an evidence paper from its senior clinical advisers summing up evidence on infection trends, confirmed cases, hospital use and deaths, and how these vary across Scotland. This underpins the rationale behind the changes.
KEY POINTS: NEW MEASURES
- The Scottish Government are taking a targeted and time-limited approach, with the First Minister arguing that “it is by taking the tough action now, that we hope to avoid even tougher action in future.”
- There will be nationwide restrictions across Scotland but also stricter targeted restrictions for some areasbecause of the significantly higher rate of infection in the Central Belt.
- Stricter restrictions will be put in place in the following five health board areas: Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley (hereby referred to as the ‘Central Belt’).
- She added that the complexity of the restrictions was a result of trying to target measures specifically at the Central Belt: "You can be simple and hard [for everyone], or a bit more targeted and accept the result of that is a bit more complexity."
HOSPITALITY
The new rules below come into force at 6pm this Friday and will be in place until 25 October inclusive and are intended as a “short, sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection.”
Nationwide restrictions:
- With the exception of the Central Belt, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be able to operate indoors on the following restricted basis: from 6am to 6pm, for the service of food and non-alcoholic drinks only. Hotel restaurants will be able to operate beyond 6pm, but only for residents and without alcohol.
- With the exception of the Central Belt, bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes can continue to serve alcohol outdoors up to the existing curfew time of 10pm.
- There will be an exemption to these rules – for all parts of Scotland – for celebrations associated with specific life events like weddings that are already booked and funerals. The current rules for those will continue to apply.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
- Holiday accommodation will remain open and there will be no mandatory travel restrictions.
- The First Minister stated that “we are not insisting that people cancel any half term breaks they have planned.”
- However, those residing in the Central Belt should avoid public transport “unless it is absolutely necessary”.
- Moreover, those in the Central Belt are advised not to travel outside their local area and others are similarly advised not to visit they “unless they need to.”
Self-Catering Restrictions - (from 24th September 2020)
Government restrictions on self-catering properties:
Following todays announcement by the Scottish Government, we were advised that the one household restriction applies to all self- catering properties. By implementing these restrictions now, it is hoped this will achieve a more stable position in suppressing the spread of the virus. Not only will this have positive health implications, but it will ultimately provide more stability for the tourism industry in the future.
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