Caithness business chief calls for more localised approach as Highland enters level one of Covid restrictions
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North business leader Trudy Morris has called on the Scottish Government to adopt a more localised approach in its new set of coronavirus restrictions.
She criticised the "broad brush" way in which the five-tier system has been introduced on the basis of Scotland's 32 local authorities, claiming there could be an unfair impact on businesses and communities in the Highlands and that a ward-by-ward arrangement would be better.
Ms Morris, the chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, was speaking today as it was confirmed that the Highland Council area had been placed in level one – the second-lowest tier. However, people are still banned from visiting other homes.
The new measures come into force on Monday.
Level one also includes Moray, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, while most of the central belt is in level three.
"The allocation of tier one to the Highland Council area will be welcome news to businesses in the north Highlands which have faced difficult circumstances under the current restrictions," Ms Morris said. "This will be particularly good news for the hospitality sector, which has seen significant loss of income as a result.
"We are disappointed, however, that the Scottish Government has chosen to take such a broad brush approach in applying its new system at local authority level. The Highland Council region accounts for nearly one third of the total land area of Scotland and encompasses a wide range of different communities, from busy city centres to remote hamlets.
"The idea that an outbreak in Kyle of Lochalsh, for example, could result in premises in Wick some 120 miles away being closed is patently unfair and we need the Scottish Government to provide a greater degree of localisation to avoid unfairly impacting businesses and communities across the region.
"Applying the new system on a ward-by-ward basis would allow greater granularity and reflect the distributed nature of the population in the region."
Ms Morris said there were unanswered questions on how and when reviews will take place, what advance warning will be given to businesses, and what support will be available to those businesses indirectly impacted by restrictions.
"The Scottish Government needs to act fast to answer these questions and reassure the business community," she said.
"We have always said that businesses need certainty to operate, and this is clearer now than ever. Businesses in the north Highlands have been doing their bit to stop the spread of Covid-19 and have invested significant amounts of money in ensuring that they are operating safely.
"We need the Scottish Government to recognise this, trust the business community, and work with us to mitigate the economic as well as the health impact of this pandemic."
It had been hoped that, following a recommendation from Highland Council, home visits would again be available. The council specifically recommended in its consultation that any changes to level one rules would cause confusion.
But Nicola Sturgeon announced that the ban on entering other people’s homes would remain nationwide. The measure will now remain in place at least until November 10 when it will be reviewed.
“In migrating to this new system for the first time we are taking a deliberately cautious approach," the First Minister said. "At present we do not judge it safe or prudent to place part of the country into the baseline level zero.
“However, I can confirm that Highland, Moray, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have all been assessed as level one. In time – hopefully a short time – we expect that that level one will allow people to meet in each other's homes in groups of up to six people from a maximum two households.
“However, at present on clear public health advice the restriction on public meetings will continue in all parts of the country for now.
“I am conscious that in our more rural and island communities that restriction can cause particular difficulties so we will review the necessity of it in level one areas at the November 10 review.”
Gail Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: "I'm fully supportive of the Scottish Government's approach to the tier that the Highland Council area has been placed in.
"I am confident that the reasoning behind this decision is sound and, while it is frustrating for us all that visiting each other in our homes will still not be permitted for the time being, I feel it is the right course of action to suppress the virus and protect our vulnerable people and our NHS."
David Richardson, Highlands and Islands development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), warned about the impact on tourism in the north as no non-essential travel will be allowed out of a level three area.
“While the Scottish Government’s response to the latest developments looks broadly proportionate, and the placing of the Highlands and Islands and Moray in level one is very welcome, this is only part of the picture,” Mr Richardson said.
“Tourism supports, directly or indirectly, more of our businesses and communities than any other industry, and consumers from what has perhaps been our single biggest market this year, the central belt, have now been told not to travel here.
“For many this will mark the end of the 2020 season.
“We cannot afford to let our Caithness and Sutherland business community go under, so FSB Scotland is asking the Scottish Government to explore alternatives to travel restrictions at the earliest opportunity, and to provide real help for businesses hit by this announcement.
“Above all, we need sufficient financial support to keep alive the many key groups, like those in tourism not covered by the hospitality hardship fund, and businesses without premises, and we need to see razor-sharp communications from government at all levels to keep everyone on-side and avoid confusion.”
Jamie Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “I welcome this decision but at the same time I’m absolutely aware that this positive step has been taken because the rate of infection in the Highlands is relatively low.
"It wouldn’t take much, including irresponsible behaviour, to re-ignite cases locally. So we must guard our tier one status carefully."
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain called it a step in the right direction.
"This will be a big boost for our Highland pubs and restaurants, which were hit hard by the previous set of restrictions," he said.
"I have called for a more targeted and scientifically justified local response to the pandemic, so I therefore welcome the announcement.
"Covid-19 remains a threat and the tier one measures, although necessary, will still disrupt businesses and family life."
The assessment of what level of restrictions should be applied to each local authority area is based on an analysis of five key indicators:
- Number of positive Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people over the past week
- Percentage of positive tests
- Forecast for new cases in the weeks ahead
- Capacity of local hospitals
- Capacity of local intensive care facilities
Level 1:
Highland
Moray
Western Isles
Orkney
Shetland
Level 2:
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen
Fife
Scottish Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
Argyll and Bute
Perth and Kinross
Angus
Level 3:
Inverclyde
East Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire
City of Glasgow
South Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
Stirling
Falkirk
Clackmannanshire
City of Edinburgh
Midlothian
West Lothian
East Lothian
Dundee
North Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
Ms Sturgeon said: “Here in Scotland and across the UK, we have been dealing with the same pattern of Covid-19 resurgence as experienced right around the world. Europe is now firmly in the grip of a second wave and both France and Germany have re-imposed nationwide lockdowns.
“In Scotland, we acted early – with some difficult but necessary measures – and while we have no grounds for complacency we do see some encouraging signs. In the last week, cases have increased by four per cent whereas two weeks ago the weekly increase was 40 per cent.
“All of that is down to the sacrifices of people the length and breadth of the country, and I thank people for that. But this virus is still highly infectious and it will take every opportunity to spread. If we all dig in and stick with it, this proportionate approach has a real chance of being sustainable and keeping Covid under control over the winter.
“If we succeed, we open the prospect – in all parts of the country – of being able to lead lives which are substantially closer to normal in the weeks and months to come.”
