Chamber and committees

Outdoor play and learning is an integral part of the early learning and childcare offer in Scotland and it is common for children to experience free-flow access to the outdoors in these settings. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for early learning and childcare services also explains that, given that the risks of transmission are much lower outdoors, ELC provision should maximise opportunities for outdoor play and experiences. The ELC guidance therefore makes no distinction between children mixing indoors and outdoors. Children should remain within the same groups wherever possible. The appropriate size of groups will depend on the age and overall number of children, and the layout of the setting but the guidance states that it would be reasonable for children to be managed in groups up to the size encountered in primary school, for example no more than 25 to 33 children in any one group. Children in ELC are not required to physically distance from each other, or from adults, either indoors or outdoors.

Similarly, the Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance on reducing the risks from COVID-19 in schools explains that, on the basis of the scientific advice, and subject to all other risk mitigation measures, there is no requirement for physical distancing between primary school children. On 16 March the First Minister announced children younger than 12 remain able to mix in larger groups and do not count towards the limit placed on groups of adults or older children.

From 12 March, contact sport for under 12s, such as football, was permitted to re-start, in accordance with the Scottish FA guidelines. Football for young people between 12 and 17 is scheduled to re-start on 5 April. On 16 March, the First Minister set out a firmer timetable for the easing of restrictions adding that a revised Strategic Framework document will be published in due course.

The current regulations limit the entry of other people into homes for the purpose of the upkeep, maintenance or functioning of the house to where the work is essential for that purpose in level 4. These restrictions have been put in place to limit the transmission of the virus. As set out in our guidance, essential work includes domestic cleaning in support of a clean and safe living environment for people in vulnerable circumstance or living with a disability, where as a result of that vulnerable circumstance or disability are unable to clean their own home.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the Strategic Framework. As part of this, we have indicated the steps required for the easing of restrictions. As set out in the First Minister’s statement on 16 March, we expect the restrictions on working in other people’s homes to be relaxed on 26 April. The updated Strategic Framework sets out the conditions on easing, including meeting the WHO’s six conditions and all JCVI Priority Groups 1-9 having been offered the vaccine.

Current guidance for delivery of maternity and neonatal services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic states that Boards should offer both virtual and in-person group antenatal sessions, in protection levels zero to three. Once the geographic protection levels have been re-instated, areas designated protection level three or below should start to plan to resume in-person antenatal classes, subject to risk assessment and physical distancing, in addition to any virtual group sessions currently offered. To ensure that all pregnant women across Scotland have access to antenatal information and advice throughout the pandemic, the Scottish Government has made available an online antenatal course. The course is free to access, provides expectant parents with practical information about pregnancy and birth and covers all of the information given in a traditional in-person antenatal class.

We are hugely grateful to the efforts over recent months of the many key workers in different sectors across Scotland as they have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic. Shared Lives carers are eligible for the payment. We are working through the practical and logistical issues of the payment process with stakeholders and will provide further details in due course.

Whilst we recognise that the virus and the restrictions put in place have devastated Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector, the protection of life is, and must remain, our key concern.

Caravan parks were required to close down during the first lockdown alongside other accommodation as part of a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of Coronavirus across Scotland. At the time, there were some exceptions for example, full time residents without another home were able to remain in their caravan.

Presently, as before, all holiday accommodation such as caravan parks must cease to carry on business in level 4 areas except for the provision for essential reasons. This does not prevent holiday accommodation from being provided to anyone who is unable to return to their main residence, uses that accommodation as their main residence, is living in that accommodation for essential work purposes, needs accommodation while moving house, needs accommodation to attend a funeral, to the homeless or to support services for the homeless, to host blood donation sessions, or for any purpose requested by the Scottish Ministers or a local authority.

The Scottish Government has always advised caravan owners and caravan park owners that the matter of fees would need to be discussed according to their agreed contracts. We recognise that some businesses have chosen or been able to offer fee reductions. We recognise that these decisions would need to be made according to each caravan park’s business model and what would be affordable. We continue to encourage flexibility in discussions between caravan site owners and fee payers.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport wrote to the health and social care sector on 15 January to confirm that adult day centres can continue to operate in Covid protection level 4 areas during the current lockdown, where they are essential for people’s wellbeing - i.e. where participants’ or carers’ health (including their mental health) and wellbeing would be significantly impacted by non-attendance. The letter is published on the Scottish Government website at: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-day-services-for-adults---letter-from-the-cabinet-secretary-for-health-and-sport---15-january-2021/

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Strategic Framework published on 23 February confirms the intention to move back to a geographically differentiated protections levels approach, Ministers stated their expectation this would be from 26 April (assuming data allows it). Under protection levels 0-3, adult day centres can operate in line with the guidance on adult social care building-based day service. This guidance can be found on the Scottish Government website at: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-adult-social-care-building-based-day-services/

Our guidance and communications emphasises, while day service capacity is reduced, the importance of prioritising supported people and their unpaid carers who are most in need of support at this time, taking into consideration the level of risk for each individual. It also emphasises the importance of alternative provision for those who are unable to access support immediately, and of supported people and their unpaid carers being fully involved in these conversations and decision-making.

The Scottish Government continues to acknowledge the fact that on-going restrictions have been challenging for everyone, in particular for families with young children.

Essential reasons for travel include providing care, assistance, support to or respite for a vulnerable person, which can include providing support to a parent of a child under the age of 1.

In level 4, personal trainers are currently permitted to work with one other person outside. From Friday 12 March, Personal Trainers can hold outdoor group sessions with up to another 14 people.

If they are treating a musculoskeletal condition that requires close contact, this would be defined as ‘close contact services’ in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (as amended). Further information of what is permitted at each protection level can be found in the following guidance:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

The Strategic Framework will provide the pathway to reopening of tourism which will be gradual and cautious. We will provide as much clarity and detail as is possible for planning purposes and intend to publish a strategic framework review next week. We will continue to work with all sectors within tourism, including self-catering, to support them up to and beyond reopening. We are committed to restoring the strength of Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector, without undermining the great strides we have made in suppressing the virus.