North shoppers urged to stop panic-buying
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NORTH MSP Gail Ross has urged shoppers to stop panic-buying over fears about the coronavirus pandemic.
"There are older and vulnerable people that haven’t been able to access necessities like toilet roll and paracetamol. Supermarkets have assured the public that there is more than enough to go around," she said.
Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, called on communities to work together in the face of the public health emergency facing the country and said there are "some fantastic examples of people helping each other out all over the constituency".
Mrs Ross said: "I realise this is a hugely worrying time for a lot of people and businesses and we are doing all we can to get advice and support out to everyone that needs it.
"My staff and I had to make the decision to close the office and we are working from home but we are still here to help anyone that needs it. Please get in touch by phone or email if you are worried or need to ask about anything at all and we will do our best to help.
"The main thing is for people to stay calm and safe and we will get through this together."
She praised NHS staff for their efforts.
"I would also like to pass on my thanks to all our NHS staff and everyone else working in our health service," Mrs Ross said. "We appreciate the essential work that you do more than ever."
She pointed out that the current advice from the Scottish and UK governments is for people over 70 and those in vulnerable health groups to work from home if they can and to practise social distancing – keeping away from people as much as possible.
People with symptoms of a new, persistent dry cough or a fever are being asked to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days and family members in the same house to stay at home for 14 days to see if they develop symptoms.
The Scottish Government has put in place a £2.2 billion package of measures to help businesses that are struggling, including 12 months of rates relief for retail, hospitality and tourism. They also include £10,000 grants for small businesses in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme or Rural Relief and £25,000 grants for hospitality, leisure and retail properties with a rateable value between £18,000 and £51,000 among others.
