Caithness business leader wants clarity over easing of coronavirus restrictions
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The easing of coronavirus restrictions next week is "welcome news for the hard-hit tourism and hospitality sectors" but clarity and certainty will be needed on when other businesses can fully reopen.
So said Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, following the measures announced by Nicola Sturgeon as the country tries to get back to normal after a difficult 14 months.
Ms Morris said: "The First Minister's announcement was undoubtedly good news for businesses in the north Highlands and it is positive to see that not only are we opening up the economy as planned but in some cases are moving slightly faster than anticipated. In particular, this will be welcome news for the hard-hit tourism and hospitality sector, as well as for a range of other leisure and events businesses."
But she added: "Many other sectors, however, still face uncertainty as to how and when they can resume normal operations. As the vaccine rollout continues and restrictions continue to ease, we urgently need clarity and certainty on when these sectors can fully reopen so that we can begin the economic recovery of our region."
Maree Todd, the newly elected SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, described the First Minister's announcement as "momentous" and said: "I know the easing of Covid restrictions announced this week will offer comfort to folk across the Highlands.
"We never anticipated last March just how long it would take to get to this point – but, through the success of the vaccination programme and our collective efforts to drive down transmission of the virus, we are now in a good position to significantly and safely ease restrictions.
"Of course, we must err on the side of caution and continue to assess the risks of close physical contact and implement good judgment.
"Aside from hugging our loved ones, this week’s announcement is also momentous for businesses across Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, who have faced an extremely difficult and turbulent year.
"I hope the normality that the easing of restrictions restores will help to put all affected businesses on the road to recovery."
Andrew Mackay, who runs hotels in Wick, Thurso and Castletown, is delighted with the easing of the Covid restrictions from Monday, although he said clarification is needed on some issues.
"It is a positive step as long as everybody behaves and acts sensibly," he said. "The measures have been long awaited and were greeted with a big sigh of relief. It has been a struggle across the board for lots of different businesses and interests."
Mr Mackay said the government's furlough and grant schemes have been "really good" and helped during a difficult time.
"We have been fortunate in that we have had key workers at the Norseman Hotel in Wick and have been doing takeaways from there too so that has kept us ticking over," he said.
Mr Mackay employs about 100 people and is hoping about 80 per cent of them will be back at work next week, although some will be on a part-time basis.
He is hoping his hotels will benefit from the expected boost in people holidaying within the UK this year because of the difficulties of travelling abroad.
"All the indicators are that the staycation market will be good," Mr Mackay said. "We had a lot of coach parties before but that trade will be almost non-existent this season because of the problems with international travel and the social distancing on buses.
"We will be lucky if we get five per cent of what we usually get, so we will be hoping to replace that with staycation market."
