Some measures outlined by First Minister 'do not add up', Jamie Stone claims
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SOME of the measures announced today by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ease the coronavirus restrictions in Scotland "do not add up", north MP Jamie Stone has claimed.
Ms Sturgeon said most retail shops can open from June 29. The only immediate change is for people in the shielding group who have been required to stay indoors since lockdown began – from today they can now go outdoors for exercise.
From tomorrow they will also be able to take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf and can meet outdoors with people from one other household, as long as they are in groups of no more than eight people and maintain social distancing.
Other measures include face coverings to be compulsory from Monday for everyone using public transport, as is the case in England. But no decision has been made on when pubs, restaurants or beer gardens can reopen.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, is unhappy that the advice on the reopening of outdoor hospitality businesses may not be published until July 2 – less than two weeks before the tourism industry is set to open up in Scotland.
He said: "How can it be that small shops with open entrances can now open up, but outdoor businesses like pubs with beer gardens cannot? It was my understanding that the virus was not as infectious outside.
"I would like the First Minister to publish the scientific evidence on this and share it with such businesses in the Highlands – it's important we are all kept in the loop.
"I appreciate the First Minister's caution. I've always shared it, but it seems the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing."
Gail Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: "It is very good news indeed that the restrictions are again to be slowly lifted – and, although we’ve still to be cautious, I’m sure that for many this further easing will be very welcome."
But she added: "I have my concerns, as with many people in our communities, that there could be the potential for new cases to be brought to the Highlands from elsewhere following changes in the guidance. I hope that everyone will act in a responsible and considerate manner and that we can still keep rates of infection to an absolute minimum."
I have my concerns that there could be the potential for new cases to be brought to the Highlands.
Scotland is to move gradually through phase two of the coronavirus route map, according to Ms Sturgeon. In the Scottish Parliament this afternoon she announced a series of measures to further ease the lockdown, to be implemented over the next week and beyond.
Those shielding are now able to go outdoors for exercise from today. From Friday those shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities and can meet one other household, in groups of no more than eight outdoors. Physical distancing and strict hygiene measures must still be followed, even if you live with those people.
From tomorrow anyone living alone or only with children under 18 can form an "extended household group" with one other household. This does not apply to households with people who are shielding.
Extended household groups can meet indoors with overnight stays permitted and without physical distancing, but any other household meetings must remain outdoors and at a two metre distance. Members of an extended household group should not form a similar arrangement with any other household.
From Monday, June 29, some indoor workplaces can reopen, including factories, labs and warehouses, subject to physical distancing, hygiene and health and safety guidance, but non-essential offices and call centres should remain closed. All retail premises with outdoor entrances and exits can also reopen from June 29.
Ahead of that date local authorities and retailers are urged to plan for the responsible use of public space, such as removing unnecessary street furniture, designing systems to manage queuing and pedestrian thoroughfares, and implementing adequate measures to support physical distancing.
"We judge that the risk of gatherings indoors is still too high," the First Minister said.
Ms Sturgeon admitted that anything involving people's living and family arrangements was "complex" and there would be "many, many questions" about how or whether individual circumstances fit with the new instructions.
She urged people, if they were in doubt: "Please your judgment and err on the side of caution."
Further changes taking place on Monday include the construction sector being allowed to move to the next stage of its restart plan; the reopening of dentists for urgent care; and the resumption of professional sport behind closed doors.
Other changes include reopening of indoor workplaces including factories, labs and warehouses (subject to social distancing and other safety requirements), though non-essential offices and call centres should remain closed.
Outdoor markets will also be allowed to reopen, along with outdoor playgrounds and outdoor sports centres.
Zoos and public gardens can also reopen from that date, though people should still not be travelling more than five miles to attractions, and, where they are ticketed, these should be bought in advance.
Restrictions on moving house will also be lifted; registration offices will reopen for essential business; and marriages and civil partnership ceremonies will be allowed again as long as they take place outdoors and involve limited numbers of people.
Places of worship will also reopen – but for individual prayer only, not larger gatherings.
Further changes are then planned for June 29.
From that date all shops that have outdoor entrances and exits will be allowed to reopen, though indoor shopping centres will remain closed except for access to essential retailers such as supermarkets and pharmacies.
Ms Sturgeon asked that, as customers return to shops, they realise they have a role to play in making the return successful.
"Please exercise patience, stick to the measures that are in place for our safety and respect the retail staff who will be asking you to shop in a slightly different way," she said.
In what will be a blow to many in the hospitality sector, as well as their customers, the First Minister also said today that pubs and restaurants with outdoor space, such as beer gardens, would not yet be allowed to bring customers into those areas.
"I am not able to give a date for that just yet," she said.
She said there was "emerging evidence" that places such as pubs and gyms can be "hotspots" for virus transmission and she had commissioned further advice on the matter, with the hope that a date for reopening here can still be announced as part of phase two slightly later on.
She also ruled out reducing the two-metre social distancing rule currently in place, though many in the hospitality industry have said this makes it impossible for them to operate on a financially viable basis.
Again she said this would be subject to further review.
Face coverings on public transport will now become mandatory for all passengers with the exception of children under five and people with breathing difficulties or with a disability that makes it difficult for them to keep a covering in place.
The Scottish Government is consulting on whether face coverings should also be mandatory in shops, with the aim of reporting further on that before June 29.
Defending the cautious approach to easing lockdown, the First Minister said: "Progress is clear and substantial, but is only possible because of the efforts and enormous sacrifice people across Scotland have made.
"We must still exercise care and caution. Patience could reap our biggest reward."
We must still exercise care and caution.
ScotRail operations director David Simpson said: “The position on face coverings is now absolutely clear and we are urging customers to take collective responsibility and follow the Scottish Government guidance on their mandatory use.
“We are doing everything we can to help customers get used to the changes in rail travel and that’s why, for a limited time, we will be providing face masks at all major stations. But Scotland’s railway can’t guarantee physical distancing at all stages of a customer’s journey.
“The message remains the same as it has been since the start of the pandemic: only travel if your journey is essential and follow our five rules for safer travel. It will help to keep you, your fellow customers, and our staff safe.”
ScotRail's five rules for safer travel are:
- Do not travel if you feel unwell or have a temperature
- Travel away from the main commuting times wherever possible
- If you think it’s not safe to board a train, don’t do it and wait for another service
- Wear a face mask or covering and, where possible, maintain physical distancing
- Be patient – you might not be able to board your first choice of train, as physical distancing means most seats need to be left empty
