Caithness business group joins call for Scottish Government not to put Covid recovery at risk
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Business leaders in the far north have echoed a warning that a "backwards step" in Covid restrictions would put thousands of businesses at risk.
The message comes as Scottish ministers are due to meet on Tuesday morning to decide whether enhanced or new restrictions are required in the wake of a recent rise in cases.
Hospitality and leisure firms are particularly concerned about wider use of so-called coronavirus passports.
A new survey of Scottish businesses suggests that almost a quarter are facing immediate financial peril should the Scottish Government extend Covid-19 restrictions today.
A snap poll of nearly 700 companies has revealed that many firms are struggling with existing measures – and that 24 per cent face severe financial consequences if vaccine passports and home working measures are widened.
Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of firms polled by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network are opposed to more restrictions, with 45 per cent already feeling that the measures currently in place are no longer justified.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “Any reintroduction of restrictions will act as a painful economic deterrent for businesses across the north Highlands. Businesses are already struggling with a range of issues including energy prices, staffing and supply of materials, and we urge ministers not to take a massive step backwards in our economic recovery from the pandemic which would place thousands of firms and jobs at risk.
“It is critical that our economic recovery is not stifled as a result of further restrictions being implemented unnecessarily. Going backwards at this stage will put our recovery at risk, create further uncertainty and undermine consumer confidence.
“If restrictions are to be reintroduced under legislation, then companies will of course be forced to accept them, but ministers must urgently outline the evidence for these decisions, detail what financial support the Scottish Government will make available to affected sectors and provide an end point to burdensome restrictions.
“We are also concerned that previous restrictions have been introduced at short notice, with guidance for businesses incomplete or incorrect, leading to more stress and hassle for business owners. For hospitality venues in particular, this is one of the busiest times of the year and we ask that ministers give businesses plenty of time to prepare and implement any changes that are enforced.”
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network has written to the Scottish Government stating that it is essential that Scotland’s business community is fully consulted before any further measures are introduced.
The survey was conducted last week after Deputy First Minister John Swinney indicated that the government was considering new measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, a group of Scotland’s hospitality trade bodies has claimed the extension of the vaccine certificate would place the sector in an impossible financial situation.
A survey of more than 150 businesses showed that over three-quarters would not survive the winter without further government support if the Covid certification measures were extended.
