Chamber and committees

If local restrictions are required in response to an outbreak of COVID-19 these will be implemented with regard to the nature and extent of the public health risk. The circumstances for each outbreak will be different and the response will be tailored accordingly.

Scottish Government recognises the impact these measures can have on communities and every decision is taken carefully with due consideration of the four harms set out in our COVID-19: Framework for Decision Making.

The recent local restrictions in Aberdeen allowed extended household arrangements to continue, individuals were also allowed to meet friends and family outdoors providing guidance on travel and physical distancing was followed.

From the outset, we have adopted a public health focused approach to these border health measures. The data and evidence we receive to inform our decisions on these measures comes from the Public Health England and the Joint Biomedical Centre (JBC) via the UK Government. As this data is owned by the UK Government, we are not able to publish the analysis on specific countries and why countries are or are not the exemptions list. I have written to the UK Government asking them to make the data publicly available.

Whilst we formally review these measures on a 21 day basis in Scotland, and our next review point is Monday 31 August, we are continuously keeping countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries to the exemption list. You will be aware that this happened in the case of Estonia, who were added to our list of exempt countries on Tuesday 28 July. Likewise, if the evidence suggests an exempt country may provide an increased risk, we will not hesitate to reinstate quarantine arrangements.

There is further guidance on the border health measures here; https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/overview/ .

Coach operators have been able to apply for financial assistance from a range of schemes including the 100% Retail Hospitality and Leisure rates relief & RHL grant support, and the small Business Grant Fund. Non-domestic rates relief also applies to eligible properties and a small number of coach companies have accessed funds from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund. We are aware of the challenges facing the coach sector and continue to engage with them to address their needs (most recently on 20 August). We are working closely with colleagues in the UK Government to secure additional support.

The use of changing rooms and showering facilities should be avoided where possible, although from the 31 August 2020 they may be made available for participants with disabilities or special needs or where required after an activity such as swimming.

Sports facility operators may open toilets for public use if they follow the guidelines outlined on the Scottish Government website Opening Public Toilets Guidelines .

For detailed facility guidance including a checklist that covers use of changing rooms, showers and toilets visit Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities .

The Scottish Government has created the risk assessment guidance and a supporting tool for staff across all industries. This remains under constant review and should be used by employers to support staff and by line managers to understand and carry out effective risk assessments for pregnant staff.

Existing legislation protecting pregnant women must be followed and there should be a risk assessment of each individual pregnant worker’s role and working environment. The Scottish Government endorses the guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Scottish Government advice remains that people should continue to work from home if they can.

The Scottish Government remain committed to patient safety, and this remains key to delivering healthcare in Scotland.

We are grateful to Baroness Cumberlege for producing the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review report and, while the Review relates to NHS England and processes in England more generally, it is important that lessons are learned in Scotland. The Scottish Government are carefully considering the outcomes and recommendations of the Review.

The Scottish Government Sodium Valproate Advisory Group met last month to discuss the review and next steps to be applied at a Scottish level. Scottish Government officials have also met with representatives from patient groups to listen to their concerns and inform future action.

In the meantime, patients can find details of support close to them through ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland), which can be accessed at https://www.aliss.org/ .

Between September 2019 and January 2020, the Scottish Government held a consultation on steps to improve the operational effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. This consultation asked for views on a range of measures designed to help local authorities and Police Scotland with their enforcement responsibilities in respect of out of control dogs. An analysis of the consultation responses was published in June 2020. Details can be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/criminal-law/effectiveness-control-of-dogs-scotland-act-2010/

Later this year the Scottish Government will publish a further review of dog control legislation with a particular focus on the operation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. This will include discussion of the offence of a dog being dangerously out of control contained with the 1991 Act.

The Scottish Government will consider the responses received to both consultation exercises in determining next steps.

The guidelines are in production and will be presented to members of the Education Recovery Group within the next few weeks, subject to stakeholder consultation. As with all guidelines at the moment, there is a need to look at the overall scientific advice which is current and relevant. We are working closely with representatives of teachers and headteachers to ensure that any guidance is therefore, as up to date and helpful as possible.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has supplied UCAS with the results and these were disseminated to universities and colleges on 20 August.

We are taking action to prepare arrangements for national qualifications in 2021. The Scottish Qualifications Authority is consulting on the 2021 timetable and we will also look to ensure that any lessons learned identified in the review by Professor Priestley are taken into account.