Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is continuing to review the effectiveness of the childhood seasonal flu programme, as per the approach previously agreed by the four nations of the UK. We will be led by the best clinical evidence on whether eligibility should be extended further.

Since that approach was defined, the UK Government has decided to extend eligibility to Year 7 – their first year of secondary school. This brings their position in line with Scotland, as both administrations now vaccinate their seven youngest school year groups.

On 1 September 2020, the Scottish Government published the ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): universities, colleges and student accommodation providers guidance’, which came into effect immediately.

The guidance:

• Reiterated the importance of forming and adhering to established and agreed student households to mitigate the risk of infection and reduce the size of any outbreaks which may occur.
• Explained that

o Where accommodation is provided in the form of flats with shared cooking and bathroom facilities each “cluster flat” will normally be considered a household.

o If student accommodation is provided in a different format, for example longer corridors of single rooms, the composition of “household” will be informed by the areas shared by groups of students. In these circumstances, the size of the household should be considered carefully to ensure students can access facilities safely and in line with physical distancing guidelines.

• Set out requirements in relation to physical distancing in accommodation, the use of face coverings and enhanced clearing regimes for all shared areas of cluster flats.

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government, as data is only collected at speciality level.

This information may be available upon request from individual Health Boards.

The Scottish Government are however presently working with Health Boards to deliver a Once for Scotland ophthalmology electronic patient record, which will assist in providing this information. We are also continuing to work with Health Boards to prepare and put in place local mobilisation plans for the phased reintroduction of previously paused NHS services including Ophthalmology.

There are no plans to introduce a separate reporting system for people to report concerns about others breaking the quarantine rules. We expect people to abide by the rules that have been put in place in order to protect public health and, ultimately, save lives. This ‘self-policing’ approach has proved successful throughout our efforts against coronavirus and a large majority of the population appear to be complying with the quarantine arrangements.

If individuals have concerns that others are not self-isolating, they can contact the Police through the 101 number or via the contact form on Police Scotland’s website at https://www.scotland.police.uk/. Public Health Scotland are also conducting follow up calls and emails with those self-isolating, and refer any concerns they have to the Police.

Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. In other cases, for instance where they have quite a heavy cold with a runny nose, headache etc, they may need to take a day or two off to recover. There is no need to self-isolate for 14 days, no need for their household to isolate, and no need to get tested for COVID-19.

When a child or young person is absent from school due to ill health, there is a statutory duty for education authorities to ensure that they continue to receive educational provision whilst they are absent from school (if there absence is expected to last longer than 5 days). Guidance is available in relation to the education of children and young people unable to attend school due to ill health, which offers a reference source to education authorities. This guidance is on our website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-education-children-unable-attend-school-due-ill-health/pages/2/ .

Guidance on Children and young people or staff displaying Covid-19 symptoms is available on our website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-reopening-school-age-childcare-services/pages/infection-prevention-and-control/#illness

Guidance has been updated for the tourism and hospitality sector which sets out how premises covered by regulations can keep a record of customer and visitor contact details safely and securely, ensuring data protection principles are upheld. That guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tourism-and-hospitality-sector-guidance/pages/collecting-customer-contact-details/

The section entitled ‘How to collect data’ outlines steps to take to utilise existing booking systems, implement digital solutions, or keep a paper record of visitor contact details.

In addition, the Scottish Government has published a template privacy notice alongside this guidance, setting out the terms of how data should be gathered, stored, used and disposed of. The privacy notice can be viewed online, downloaded and made available in each establishment.

The Scottish Government will aim to publish guidance for the soft play industry in advance of the indicative date for reopening of 14 September. We will involve the soft play industry and relevant stakeholders in developing this guidance.

Scottish Government guidance for the safe re-opening of performing arts was published on 21 August and is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance
-for-the-performing-arts-and-venues-sector/pages/overview/.

Non-professional singers should only sing in groups outdoors, not indoors. Outdoor activities, including rehearsals and seated live events, have been allowed to re-commence from 24 August in accordance with physical distancing and hygiene guidance for events – available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-events-sector-guidance/ .

The remaining restrictions on groups’ indoor singing will be kept under review as the scientific evidence about the risks of virus transmission from singing is developed.

The First Minister announced that driving lessons would resume on 24 August. Driving tests are the responsibility of the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency. We understand that car driving tests will resume in mid-September, with priority given to those who have had tests cancelled.

From 24 August 2020, organised full contact outdoor sport for all ages was permitted in Scotland.

We have discussed the resumption of this activity with the Scottish FA and the SPFL on a number of occasions.

This will – subject to Scottish FA guidance – allow teams at all levels to train and play. However, SPFL Premiership clubs – and some English clubs – have already been undertaking activity as they were subject to additional public health measures. We have no role in where any of these clubs choose to train.