Chamber and committees

We are out of time, so I thank all the witnesses for their evidence and their time this morning. If you have any further evidence that you would like to give the committee, please do so in writing. The clerks will be happy to liaise with you on that.

Alex Rowley, who joins us remotely, has some questions for the panel.

Thank you, Mohammed. You raise some valid and interesting points.

I know that a few more witnesses want to come in, but I will pass over to Murdo Fraser to ask a question and he will bring them in.

We have a bit of time for this question, so any other witnesses who want to comment can do so and then I will move to other members’ questions. Would you like to come in, Parveen Ishaq?

In light of the new variant, and given that we are trying to suppress transmission, I will mention one of the comments and one of the questions that we have received from members of the public. The comment is:

“I work as a symptomatic Covid 19 tester. My colleagues and I find it shocking that people who come for testing will arrive with families and friends in tow. Sometimes we get full carloads. Usually none are wearing masks and it is obvious they have been to a drive-in fast food outlet before attending for their test. We have been told that now they have had the test ‘they are taking the family out for lunch to cheer them up!’”

That brings to me to the question, which is from Geraldine from South Ayrshire. She asks:

“What is being done to ensure people self-isolate whilst symptomatic or waiting for test results, as the message does not appear to be getting through?”

She is not back yet. We cannot see her on our screens.

I would like to bring in Sandra MacLeod.

Thank you. I am conscious of the time. Are members happy for me to put the question on the motion?

Members indicated agreement.

Mr Fairlie, does your next question relate to the self-isolation bill?

Since no member has further questions, I thank the witnesses for their evidence and for giving us their time this morning. If witnesses would like to raise any further evidence with the committee, they can do so in writing; the clerks will be happy to liaise with them about how to do that.

I suspend the meeting to allow a changeover of witnesses.