COVID-19 Strategic Framework Updated

The First Minister has announced (17th November) the results of the latest review of COVID-19 protection levels in Scotland.

The majority of local authorities will remain at their current level and you can check which level applies by using the Scottish Government postcode checker.

Two local authorities, East Lothian and Midlothian will move from level 3 to level 2 from next Tuesday 24 November.

Level 4

Eleven council areas will move into level 4 restrictions from 6pm on Friday 20 November through to 11 December.  These are:  the City of Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian.

Full details of the restrictions in level 4 areas are available here

A reminder that the construction sector is rightly deemed as essential in the Scottish Strategic COVID-19 Framework and therefore not impacted by either the change of levels or the new travel restrictions.

The Framework allows construction to remain fully open at Level 4 and this was highlighted again today by the First Minister, who said: “The purpose of level 4 is to reduce interactions between people from different households as much as possible, to reduce transmission as quickly as possible. That means limiting work and social contacts. Those who can work from home should do so – though unlike lockdown earlier in the year, construction and manufacturing workplaces can remain open”

Travel Restrictions

The Scottish Government have announced that travel restrictions will be put into law from Friday 20th November from 6pm. These will prevent people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 local authority area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose – such as work or caring responsibilities.  The regulations will also prevent non-essential travel into a Level 3 or 4 local authority area, except for the same reasons.

Business Support

In addition to the UK furlough scheme, all businesses that require to close, at any level, are eligible for a four weekly grant of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value. Grants of £1,400 or £2,100 are available to businesses that are open, but subject to trading restrictions. There is further information here  In addition, the Scottish Government are establishing a £30 million discretionary fund to enable local authorities to provide additional support for businesses where they consider that necessary or justified – for example, for businesses in supply chains, or to taxi drivers suffering a severe but indirect effect.

£15 million is also being made available for newly self-employed people who have not been able to access other forms of support and £15 million will be available to local authorities to help with the community and social impact of a move to level 4. More details of these funds will be made available shortly.

Further Information

Link to today’s news release  https://news.gov.scot/news/updates-to-covid-19-protection-levels

Link to First Minister’s statement https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-tuesday-17-november-2020/

Protection levels that will apply in each local authority area with evidence and analysis informing these decisions.  https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-allocation-of-levels-to-local-authorities-17-november-2020/