Chamber and committees

The COVID-19 Strategic Framework sets out that while there are no mandatory travel restrictions from and into Level 3 areas, we are asking people to limit travel where possible and only leave the local authority in which they live for essential journeys. The exceptions include travel to school, college or university where teaching is not provided remotely, and the intention is that this includes for purposes of sitting exams or assessments.

Dance is usually assessed through visiting assessment but this would not be appropriate during the pandemic for public health reasons. SQA are conducting further investigations, including some engagement with centres offering these qualifications and this will inform a final decision.

The Scottish Government’s strategy for the management of wild deer is described in Scotland’s Wild Deer: a national approach (WDNA), which can be found at : https://www.nature.scot/scotlands-wild-deer-national-approach-2015-2020-priorities . The WDNA is updated every 5 years, with delivery by both land managers and public bodies directed through an Annual Action Plan. The current priority actions are focused on collaboration between land owners and effective deer management planning, to implement culls that deliver on a range of public interests.

Deer management on Scotland’s national forests and land is undertaken by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), who, do so through their Deer Management Strategy which involves collaborating with other deer managers, an integrated land use approach and following best practice in relation to deer welfare.

The Scottish Government is currently considering recommendations made by the independent Deer Working Group Report to improve Scotland's approach to sustainable deer management and will publish a response in due course.

There appears to be little evidence of adverse impact from true “wild camping” as defined by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, in contrast to the widely-reported issues during the phased withdrawal from lockdown over the summer. We understand this has been largely associated with what might be termed roadside camping (such as tents pitched close to a parked vehicle away from established campsites) and “party” camping.

Most people follow the rules and behave responsibly but we are acutely aware of heightened impacts, particularly in rural areas and communities and in areas with high visitor concentrations. This has involved irresponsible and criminal activity from a small minority, including antisocial behaviour, littering, human waste, damage to property and the environment, fires and inconsiderate car parking.

As well as working closely with partner bodies over the summer to address these issues through improved coordination and stronger messaging, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism convened a meeting of the relevant public agencies (chaired by VisitScotland) on 14 September to look carefully at the range of problems experienced around problematic camping.

Enhanced enforcement, education, infrastructure and visitor management are central to this coordinated strategic approach and we are confident that it will play a significant role in delivering long term solutions ahead of next year’s tourist season.

Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed.

This assessment process includes oversight of the assessed health risks in different settings by the Chief Medical Officer and input from the other Chief Clinicians as appropriate. We have used scientific evidence on transmission coupled with the social and economic benefits which Ministers have used to make decisions. There are a number of relevant factors that would have been considered:

• Duration of contact.
• Ability to maintain distancing.
• Challenge of cleaning surfaces, spaces between and around users.
• Aerosol transmission risk since such activities could give rise to heavier breathing, panting, shouting etc which would all increase the chance of transmission particularly as masks cannot be worn.

The Scottish Government is currently preparing to publish this information in due course.

Necessary repairs to holiday homes can proceed as required in level 3 local authority areas. Although there is no specific reference in the guidance for conducting maintenance in a holiday or second home, contractors are still able to enter for maintenance purposes. In level 4 however contractors can only carry out essential maintenance. In this level, a person should only travel to a holiday or second home where essential repairs or maintenance are required. The guidelines are clear that for safety, people should avoid all unnecessary travel in level 3 and 4 and exemptions should not be used as loopholes.

We recognise that self-employed workers in Scotland play a key role in the economy and that they must not be left behind in the response to this crisis. We appreciate that taxi and private hire cars provide a valuable service to both residents of and visitors to Scotland. We understand the economic impact that restrictions are having on businesses and the economic damage being felt by businesses required to close, as well as other sectors.

Taxi drivers are eligible for financial support through either the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme or the Job Retention Scheme. Notwithstanding the unnecessary uncertainty caused by delays in announcing this support, we welcome the UK Government’s decision to extend both the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and the Job Retention Scheme which now gives taxi drivers, amongst others, greater certainty that they will receive financial support that recognises the ongoing challenges they face.

We are also currently considering support for fixed costs pressures on taxi drivers and others distinct from the new Strategic Framework Business Fund. This is in addition to the Covid-19 Public Transport Mitigation Fund through which we have made £5m of funding available to support installation of equipment that reduces the risk of coronavirus transmission on public, community and school transport, including taxi and private hire operators

Auction houses are required to follow the retail sector guidance. Under the Strategic Framework, all retail businesses can open in levels 0 to 3 but only essential retail can open in level 4, as well as click and collect and online retail.

The Scottish Government has no immediate plans to review student loan administration or student loan interest rates.

Student loans are administered on a UK-wide basis by the Student Loans Company (SLC). Any changes to the system adopted by SLC would have to be considered, and agreed, by all of the UK administrations.

In Scotland, the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) receive and process applications for student loans which are then passed over to SLC to make the payments and in due course, collect the repayments.

Student loan interest for Scottish borrowers is based on the lower of either the Bank of England base rate or the Retail Price Index. The current interest rate for Scottish borrowers is 1.1%. With the planned increase to the repayment threshold (to £25,000) in April 2021, the Scottish Government has committed to keeping the interest rate low for Scottish borrowers.

All travellers arriving in Scotland from a country which is non-exempt from quarantine rules are required to quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Passenger arrivals into Scotland are provided by the Home Office to Public Health Scotland (PHS). PHS are contacting all travellers returning from high-risk countries by email. PHS also take a sample of those passengers required to quarantine and pass the data to the National Contact Tracing Centre.

The National Contact Tracing Centre contact a random sample in order to provide public health advice and support.

Published data does not record the point of entry of those who are sampled by PHS to be called by the NCTC.

Published data (26 October – 1 November October) shows the National Contact Tracing Centre (NCTC) is exceeding the commitment of contacting at least 2,000 people per week who are required to quarantine.

Out of the 2,804 attempted contacts, successful contact has been made with 2,165 (77%) . A further 194 (8%) are in progress. 445 have been unable to be contacted (15%), for reasons such as an invalid phone number or no response to the call.

The Scottish Government are encouraged how organisations have been innovative through the pandemic, to continue to develop programmes to deliver physical activity for all.

From 2 November 2020, a strategic approach to outbreak management based on five levels of protection was introduced, as set out in the strategic framework document. Local authority areas placed into levels reflecting the current infection rate.

Under the new level system, outdoor exercise classes are permitted to take place in levels 0-4 and indoor exercise classes for adults in levels 0-2, with classes for those aged under 18 also permitted in level 3. Operators should ensure the appropriate sport scotland guidance is followed and physical distancing is maintained.

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak the Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and private and public sector partners to develop a range of support mechanisms for businesses. Information on all available support for businesses can be found on Find BusinessSupport . The website is regularly updated with information on any new support packages or changes to existing ones.