Funding for 31 third sector projects in social care has been extended to March 2022 with the announcement of an additional £2.9 million of Scottish Government backing.
Edinburgh projects include MECOPP, Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living and Thistle Foundation Health and Wellbeing.
Scottish Government’s ‘Support in the Right Direction’ programme was initially funded until March 2021, with funding partner Inspiring Scotland. The programme helps organisations who provide information, advice and advocacy to people accessing and managing their social care across Scotland.
The 12-month extension will enable project staff to continue their vital work helping people and carers navigate their way through the social care system, make the most of the ‘self-directed support’ options available to them, and access the support and care they need in their community.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Jeane Freeman said: “I am very pleased to be able to extend funding for Inspiring Scotland to manage these projects for an additional 12 months.
“The programme has consistently demonstrated the benefits of ensuring supported people have practical information and advocacy to live their lives.
“Independent advice and advocacy, plus support to make connections in their community, relieves stress and anxiety and helps people and carers maximise their choices and control over their arrangements, which is key to Scotland’s social care system.
“I am grateful to Inspiring Scotland and the individual projects for continuing this vital work and providing additional support to our social care sector.”
Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant added: “We’re very pleased that all 31 Support in the Right Direction projects will receive funding for a further 12 months.
“This announcement recognises the importance of independent support for people, as part of local health and social care delivery, and provides some stability for these essential charities.”
The Support in the Right Direction programme is managed on behalf of Scottish Government by Inspiring Scotland.
With temperatures on the rise again today Police in Edinburgh have made a public appeal for people to behave responsibly:
Last weekend saw an increase in antisocial behaviour and disorder, particularly at Portobello Beach and the Meadows. Dedicated officers will be on patrol this afternoon and over the weekend, focussing on engagement and early intervention, particularly in these areas.
Officers would like to remind the public that we still need to control the spread of Coronavirus and follow the guidelines from the Scottish Government.
Superintendent David Robertson from St Leonard’s Police Station said: “Last weekend saw small groups of individuals, intent on trouble, engage in antisocial behaviour, risking public health and disrupting the enjoyment of the Meadows and Portobello beach for those wishing to do so responsibility. Let me be clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Officers will be on patrol in these areas this afternoon and over the weekend and will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation. Our ultimate aim over the weekend is to prevent further disorder.
“Officers have been specifically briefed in respect of early intervention, engagement and will make use of the Edinburgh street drinking byelaw, where it is necessary and proportionate to do so in order to prevent antisocial behaviour. As was the case last weekend, those identified as being involved in antisocial behaviour and disorder will be arrested and charged accordingly.”
“The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.
“Aberdeen going into lockdown is a stark reminder that the virus is still very present and posing a threat to our communities. It also underpins the importance of continuing to follow the Scottish Government guidance.”
Rescue dog who is afraid of the dark on the lookout for a new home
Lord Eric Longlegs is a current resident of Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in West Calder and he doesn’t mind potential owners knowing he is afraid of the dark!
Currently on the centre’s Home From Home fostering programme, Lord Eric has been enjoying his time with his temporary foster family, however they noticed that he gets anxious going out to the garden when it is dark, unless someone goes with him.
Lord Eric Longlegs got his name after arriving at the rehoming centre more than four months ago. At eight-years-old, he is more than your typical long-legged Greyhound as he is a very sensitive big soul; he loves people, he loves journeys in the car, he loves sleeping on the sofa and he absolutely adores his food.
Stephen Thomson, Home From Home Coordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “Lord Eric has been with us now since before lockdown began and he hasn’t received much interest from potential owners. As he is such a loving and sensitive boy, we wanted to keep him in a family environment as much as possible, so he could enjoy all the human companionship he is used to.
“One of the reasons having foster carers is so beneficial is because they learn so much about each dogs character and what they are like in a home environment. Dogs staying at the rehoming centre are never usually without a canine carer beside them when out for walks, so it is beneficial for potential owners to know that a dog like Eric isn’t the biggest fan of the dark, so they can fully consider his rehoming needs.
“We would love to find Eric his forever home and he is currently available to meet by appointment, so get in touch with the team at the rehoming centre to find out more.”
The team at Dogs Trust West Calder is also on the lookout for more people to come forward and apply to be foster carers, especially those who don’t have any other pets in the family home.
Lord Eric’s foster carer, Rod, said: “Eric is such a great companion and he has been a real saviour for me during the recent lockdown as he has been staying with me since March.
“It has been a difficult time over the last four months and I’d honestly be lost without Eric, so making sure he doesn’t have to go outside in the dark is the least I can do for him.”
As well as needing a new family who can help him with additional training, to build his confidence, Lord Eric can live with children over the age of 10 and could potentially live with another female Sighthound. He would benefit from a family who has previous experience with his breed and can provide him with a secure garden to explore.
Dogs Trust rehoming centres are currently not open for public browsing but you can still make an appointment to adopt or bring a dog to us.
The charity has set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff and our visitors safe.
The installation of nearly 1MW of solar panels on at least six buildings in Edinburgh is planned by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) as they return for Phase 2 in their quest to make Edinburgh a cleaner and greener city.
To do this ECSC proposes to raise up to £660,000 by the issue of £1 shares. The minimum investment will be £100 and priority will be given to local residents who reside in the EH postcode districts.
In 2015 ECSC successfully launched their first share offer which resulted in over £1.4 million being raised that funded the installation of nearly 1.4MW of solar power on 24 buildings owned by City of Edinburgh Council.
Today ECSC continues to generate solar power from these buildings and members receive share interest on their investment as projected with all surplus profits allocated to the Community Benefit Fund which came into operation in 2018.
Speaking of the imminent launch of the share offer, Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC said “ECSC is an ethical, community-based, social enterprise. We came together with a plan to help reduce carbon emissions, address Fuel Poverty and make renewable energy more commonplace in our city.
“We especially welcome smaller amounts, as we would like as many people to join ECSC as possible, which is why the minimum investment is as low as we can make it.
“Parents and grandparents can also apply for shares in ECSC for their children and grandchildren or can apply for shares on their behalf and leave them in their will”. Shares in ECSC are understood to be exempt from inheritance tax under present rules.
The share offer will be launched in Summer 2020 and you can register your interest at www.edinburgh.coop/register.
ECSC also has the option to install on 4 other Sites should grid connections and roof surveys permit later in the year.
Council LeaderAdam McVey said: “As lockdown restrictions have eased allowing the reopening of outdoor areas for bars and restaurants, we’ve been speaking to individual businesses and local representative groups who’ve asked us for additional help in relation to the charges in place for tables and chairs permits to allow them to make sure that safe physical distances can be maintained when customers are visiting their premises.
“We’ve recognised that city centre businesses need support due to the absence of both office workers and visitors and this will take time to recover. There is an urgent need to support businesses in the immediate term and I’m delighted that Committee has agreed to support them by waiving these charges entirely during this very difficult trading time.
“This will not only help businesses expand their footprint to help improve trading viability but also help maintain the pedestrian space and access, particularly for families and people with mobility issues or sight impairment.”
Cammy Day Depute Leader said: “This is yet another move we can make which will make the coming weeks and months a little less challenging for businesses.
“For the local economy to recover, we also need to see greater footfall to small businesses and a new campaign will launch next week to draw residents and visitors back to their favourite places for shopping and visiting.
“This is alongside all of the steps we’ve already taken to support our high streets, like directing £112.5m to businesses in support grants and widening pavements and cycleways to make it easier and more enjoyable to visit town centres. It will also be supported by the local Champions Network which we’re setting up to provide us with a direct link to businesses, so that we can monitor the challenges they face and the help they need.”
Businesses will still be required to apply for tables and chairs permits, and the standard conditions will need to be met, however, there will be no charge for the time period 1 July to 31 October.
Any business which has already paid for a permit will receive a refund for any payment made for this time period.
Tables and chairs permits allow anyone who sells food or drink to put tables and chairs on a public pavement between 9am and 9pm, seven days per week
Face coverings to be mandatory across more indoor public premises
Settings where face coverings must be legally worn in Scotland is expanding to include certain indoor public places such as cinemas, galleries, museums and banks, from today (Saturday 8 August).
Further rules for the hospitality sector, including the introduction of new statutory guidance, have been announced to increase compliance and keep the sector safely open.
While the new guidance won’t come into effect until Friday 14 August, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has emphasised that the hospitality industry should already be doing the right thing, and if not then they should start now.
Hospitality premises should be collecting customer contact details for Test and Protect. Tables should be pre-booked where possible, with no queueing. There should be no background music and TVs should be muted to reduce the need for people to shout or lean in to each other, and no more than three households at a time should be meeting in a group.
From next Friday (14 August), it will be mandatory to collect contact details of customers in a range of hospitality and public settings.
FM @NicolaSturgeon has announced that from tomorrow, Sat 8 August, face coverings will be made mandatory across more indoor public places such as libraries and cinemas.
If you wear a visor or shield, you should also wear a face covering underneath.
Face shields may be used but only if they are worn in addition to a face covering. While exemptions to face coverings will apply, the new settings face coverings must now be worn in will include:
any premises open to members of the public and used for the retail sale or hire of goods or services. This now includes: shops; takeaway restaurants; estate agents; and beauty parlours. This does not extend to hospitality premises such as sit-in cafes and restaurants
aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, and any other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural site
banks, building societies and credit unions
cinemas
community centres
crematoriums and funeral directors premises
libraries and public reading rooms
museums and galleries
places of worship
post offices
storage and distribution facilities, including collection and drop off points
The First Minister said: “To say that the incident in Aberdeen is deeply regrettable is an understatement. But it underlines an extremely important point: any time one of us fails to abide by the rules, we put others at risk and give this virus the chance to come roaring back.
“That’s something which we simply cannot afford to do. We’ve seen – every day of this outbreak – how easily COVID-19 can spread.
“We need to do everything we can to stop it in its tracks and that is why we are expanding the mandatory use of face coverings in more indoor public spaces, and will be implementing further regulations for the hospitality sector. Many of these measures should already be in place as part of the guidance, but in order to keep the sector open – safely – we are now placing them in law.
“We are the frontline in making sure that Covid doesn’t spread, and so we all need to keep doing the right things.”
The Scottish COVID-19 Workbook has also been published. It brings into one place advice on how local and national public health agencies will provide support to prevent virus spread, together with advice on outbreak management.
Alongside the workbook the Scottish Government will publish ‘Sector Advice Cards’ that details how different sectors can take action to prevent the spread of the virus, avoid outbreaks, reporting and helping to manage outbreaks. The first Sector Advice Card for schools was published yesterday.
Further detail on the mandatory collection of contact information of people in hospitality sectors will be published next week.
PoliceScotland works extremely closely with HM Coastguard to jointly keep people safe on our coastline and beaches.
Ssee some safety tips (below) from our Coastguard colleagues on how to keep safe this summer:
Check the weather forecast & tide times Read local hazard signs Leave inflatables at home – as they can very easily drift out to sea Keep a close eye on your family Have a fully charged mobile phone Have a meeting place if you get separated
Lastly – consider taking a photo of your family or group at the start of your seaside day. Should a family member go missing, you will have an up-to-date photo including an accurate clothing description.
In a coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Her Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard are urging every parent to be aware of the potential dangers of rip currents to be beach safe.
Be beach safe this summer
On Sunday 26 July, seven people, including five teenagers were lucky to be rescued after being caught in a strong, fast moving current in Wales.
And at the start of the month, RNLI lifeguards leapt to the rescue of 12 unsuspecting bathers who were swept off their feet by a rip current into rough seas at a beach in Cornwall.
Last year, RNLI lifeguards dealt with more than 1,500 incidents involving rip currents, saving the lives of 95 people caught in them.
Gareth Morrison, RNLI Head of Water Safety, said: ‘Our coastline is a fantastic place to spend time together as a family but there are also plenty of potential dangers, especially for those who aren’t fully aware of their surroundings.
‘The main one is rip currents which cause most incidents in the water that RNLI lifeguards deal within the UK.’
‘We are seeing a spike in incidents this summer involving these potentially deadly currents, which move even faster than an Olympic swimmer and can quickly drag people into deep water a long way from the shore.
‘It’s important that anybody venturing in or near the sea knows, not just what rip currents are, but how to react if they are caught in one or see someone else in trouble.
‘They are difficult to spot and even the most experienced and strongest swimmers can find themselves caught out so it’s important where possible to use beaches that have lifeguards patrolling on them.’
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, try to remember the following key safety advice:
Don’t try to swim against it, you will quickly get exhausted.
If you can stand, wade don’t swim.
If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore.
If you can’t swim – FLOAT to live by leaning back in the water, extending your arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around to gain control of your breathing.
Always raise your hand and shout for help.
If you see anyone else in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
Off-duty Aberdovey lifeboat crew member Arwel Jones was one of those who sprang into action on Sunday afternoon after his wife spotted two teenagers struggling in the water.
Together with some lifeguard friends and former lifeboat crew who happened to be wind and kitesurfing, they pulled seven people to safety.
‘They were just so lucky the right people happened to be in the right place at the right time,’ said Arwel. ‘There was even a doctor on the beach by chance, when we got them out of the water.
‘It’s a scary thought but a few seconds here or there and it could have been a very different outcome.’
While rip currents are not the only danger at the coast with tidal cut-offs and inflatables also the cause of many emergency calls, they make up the majority of incidents in the water for RNLI lifeguards and are a major cause of accidental drowning across the world.
The RNLI and Coastguard strongly advise against taking inflatables to the beach and urge people to be aware of the tide times and local hazards to avoid getting into trouble.
Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes said: ‘We’ve seen so many times how easy it is to get caught out by the sea.
‘That is why it is important to swim or bodyboard on lifeguarded beaches, stay within your depth, swim parallel to the shore and keep a close eye on friends and family at the beach and in the water.
‘Make sure you are always contactable at the coast by carrying a fully-charged mobile phone and if you get into trouble or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’
Dozens of tenants will have a brand new place to live thanks to the Council and its contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd putting the finishing touches to new homes as part of a multimillion pound transformation of Craigmillar Town Centre.
The first new neighbours moving into Harewood Road have been visited by the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Kate Campbell and Depute Convener Mandy Watt, who officially handed over the keys to the completed properties.
Edinburgh has one of the most ambitious house-building plans of any local authority in the UK and these are the first Council-led homes to complete now that the City’s construction industry is back up and running and households can safely move.
Contributing towards Edinburgh’s goal of building 20,000 affordable new homes and becoming a net carbon zero city by 2030, the highly energy-efficient development at Craigmillar features 194 homes with an innovative Sustainable Urban Drainage System for surface water collection and extensive communal green space.
The homes also benefit from a network of footpaths and cycle connections to Craigmillar Park. These properties will also test a number of elements of the “gold” building standard to help inform the Council’s approach to net zero carbon developments.
Designed by Architects Anderson Bell Christie and constructed by CCG, the site combines 61 homes for social rent and 133 for mid-market rent.
Councillor Kate Campbell, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “It’s fantastic to meet with the new residents and see what a difference these bright and modern homes are going to make to their lives.
“Making sure everyone has access to a safe, warm and affordable place to live has long been our priority and it’s going to be as important as ever to progress our plans to build 20,000 new homes as we move on from the pandemic. So being able to get construction underway, see these homes complete in Craigmillar and move new tenants in is a big milestone.
“We’re also committed to pushing forward with a green recovery for the City and these homes, with their focus on low carbon and energy efficiency, are a perfect example of how we deliver a project which is great for residents and good for the local environment too.”
Councillor Mandy Watt, Depute Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, added: “Not only are these new homes a brilliant addition to our supply of affordable housing in Edinburgh, they’re part of a major project we’ve been leading on which invests in the whole Craigmillar community.
“The regeneration has helped to create new shared spaces for people to enjoy and has brought about opportunities for jobs and training. It’s a real transformation of the town centre which will benefit generations of Craigmillar residents and benefit our environment too, thanks to the use of really energy-efficient materials and design and the creation of new green spaces.”
“It’s a real joy to finally see families moving in and settling in to their new homes.”
As a direct result of their contract to redevelop Craigmillar Town Centre, CCG has provided a series of community benefit initiatives including three full-time jobs, four trade apprenticeships and two work placements. The local community has also benefited from donations to Grass Roots Clothing, the Craigmillar Literacy Trust, the Castlebrae Memorial Garden and the Richmond Hope Mile of Memories project.
Calum Murray, Director of CCG, said: “The importance of the home and our environment to health and wellbeing has never been more apparent than now and construction re-engagement has enabled the team at CCG to deliver a new place, providing essential housing completions just when they are most required.
“Huge credit is due to our construction team, the Council and not least to the local community for their support in a process that over the last five years has seen CCG deliver more than 580 homes in Craigmilllar.”
William and Adele Halliday plus their children have moved into a three-bedroom home. William said: “We have a 10 year old, a one year old and another on the way so the move is perfect timing for us as a family. We had been living nearby in a flat on the 10th floor of a high rise – now we have our own home and the kids have a garden to play in.
“It’s very spacious and modern. We’re delighted with it and enjoying settling in. Getting to my work is easy too with the public transport connections here in Craigmillar.”
Valerie McMillan couldn’t be happier with her adapted one bedroom home. Valerie said: “I love my new home, I’m here to stay. I feel so much more comfortable here and the house is really bright and sunny– I haven’t had to put the heating on once and it’s very warm.
“When I was 18 I lived on this street in my first home, now I’m 52 and I’ve come full circle. I’m home again. You notice a big difference in how the streets and the shops look. It’s all change and a really nice area with a tight community – everyone I’ve met says hello and is very friendly. Harewood Road is going to be beautiful once it’s finished.”
The £24.6 million investment at Craigmillar town centre is funded by the Council with £3.2 million in grant funding from the Scottish Government. The Council has nearly 800 affordable homes under construction across the city with nearly 3,500 new homes in design development.
A report which sets out 1,800 responses to the public consultation on ‘Choices for City Plan 2030’ has been published the Council.
This figure compares to 435 responses received for the main issues report to the current Local Development Plan. Social media statistics show that information about Choices for City Plan 2030 reached over a million people, with over 24,000 engagements on our posts.
A public consultation began on 31 January and responses were accepted until 30 April. Residents and other interested groups were given an additional four weeks due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to give their views.
A revised timetable for the Development Plan Scheme for City Plan 2030 including the proposed plan, the period of representation, examination and future adoption of the Plan will also be considered.
Cllr Neil Gardiner, Convener of the Planning Committee, said: “When we set out to consult on ‘Choices’ none of us could have known how the world was about to change and as some coronavirus lockdown restrictions and physical distancing measures remain in place, none of us can predict exactly how Edinburgh and the rest of the world will emerge from this global pandemic.
“We are all adapting to a ‘new normal’ and all of our planning must take account of the changes we are seeing in the way people are living their lives. This includes how we all use and appreciate green spaces with the health and well-being benefits they bring to communities. Community resilience also includes easy access to facilities. Connectivity is therefore very important, with neighbourhoods containing a mixture of services within in easy reach.
“It is fantastic that we’ve had such a great response to our consultation and I’d like to thank everyone who gave us their views. Now more than ever we must listen closely to what our residents, businesses and other stakeholders have told us to help us develop a plan to allow our city to grow and change to meet future needs.
“City Plan 2030 is about us making the right choices now so that our residents can make reasonable and informed choices about how and where they live and how they get around in the future.
“Edinburgh is a beautiful green, cultural and historic city which has benefitted from a thriving economy but, like many cities, we have increasing levels of poverty and health inequalities in our communities, rising housing costs and in some areas, traffic congestion and poor air quality.
“We also need to adapt our city to meet the needs of an aging population, address the increasing impact of climate change and make sure growth is sustainable. This must all now be addressed in the context of the changes we are seeing as a result of the impact of Covid-19 and making sure we have resilient communities.”
Vice Convener, Cllr Maureen Child, added: “We’re embarking on one of the most significant periods of transformation in a generation which has just become a lot more intense due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we need to rethink the way we use our buildings and expand to accommodate our growing population.
“We’re already committed to building 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes by 2027 but the city needs more housing, with particular emphasis on affordable homes.
“We must make sure we meet our ambitious climate change targets and all houses and other buildings will need to be much more energy efficient in the future. We’ll also work with our partners in the industry to make sure we make the best use of the limited space we have and, going forward, we’ll be asking developers to think more carefully about location, density and design.
“Choices for City Plan 2030 set out bold options for the public to consider and comment on about how we manage future development so Edinburgh can adapt and flourish during a time of major change. This is how Edinburgh could be in a decade’s time if it responds fully to the challenges of a rising population and the coronavirus and climate emergencies and in the manner set out in a radical plan for the future.”
The wide-ranging document set out options for how to the make best use of land for future development. It also addressed how we could tackle short term lets through new planning policies, in addition to the new regulatory powers announced earlier this year by the Scottish Government following Edinburgh’s campaign to seek national legislation.
Views were also sought on planning for and building more affordable housing, managing the growth of student housing, and whether all new buildings and conversions should meet the highest zero carbon standards to help Edinburgh meet its ambitious target of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030.
In each section, the Council gave its preferred option for development as well as other alternatives.
‘Choices for City Plan 2030’ links closely with the Council’s ambitious draft City Mobility Plan, designed to improve sustainable transport over the next decade.
The proposed City Plan 2030 will be considered by the Planning Committee in December after which it will be published for representation and then formally examined by the Scottish Government before we can consider adopting it.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s media briefing in St Andrew’s House, yesterday (Friday 7 August):
Good afternoon, and thanks for joining us. I’ll start with the usual update on the most recent Covid-19 statistics for Scotland.
I can confirm that an additional 43 positive cases were confirmed yesterday. That represents 0.9% of the people who were newly tested yesterday, and it takes the total number of cases in Scotland to 18,890
A full health board breakdown will be available later, but the provisional information I have is that 27 of the 43 cases are in the Grampian health board area.
It is not yet clear how many are connected to the ongoing outbreak in Aberdeen and I will say a little bit more about the situation there shortly.
A further 5 cases appear to be in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area, which is a reduction in the numbers we have seen there in recent days.
A total of 262 patients are currently in hospital with confirmed Covid-19, which is 8 fewer than yesterday.
A total of 4 people are in intensive care with confirmed Covid-19. That is the same as yesterday.
I’m also pleased to say that, in the past 24 hours, yet again no deaths were registered of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 over the previous 28 days and therefore the number of deaths under that measurement remains 2,491.
Obviously the total number of deaths is still a sharp reminder of the dreadful impact of this virus and my condolences once again go to everyone who has suffered loss.
As always, I also want to thank everyone working hard to help our country through this pandemic.
The main points I want to cover today are the outbreak in Aberdeen, but I also want to say something about further measures that we’re going to take to reduce the risk of transmission.
The Economy Secretary will then say a few words about business support. And the Chief Medical Officer will give an update on this year’s seasonal flu vaccination programme.
Before all that, though, I want to draw your attention to an important announcement made last night.
The Scottish Government has taken the decision to add three additional countries to the list of those that are subject to quarantine restrictions. Those countries are Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas.
Each of these countries has seen a significant rise in Covid cases, over recent days.
So from tomorrow, people travelling to Scotland from those countries must self-isolate for 14 days.
This is another reminder of how quickly the international situation can change. And it’s why I would once again remind everyone to think very carefully about booking non-essential foreign travel.
Let me return now to the situation we’re dealing with in Aberdeen. I can confirm that – as of now – a total of 101 cases have been confirmed as part of that cluster. That is an increase of 22 on the position reported yesterday.
And a total of 313 close contacts have now been identified and are being followed up – although we expect that number to rise further.
It was also confirmed yesterday that two players from Aberdeen Football Club are among those who have tested positive. In addition, a further six players have been identified as having been in close proximity with one of those individuals and they are all therefore self isolating.
It is now clear that all eight players visited a bar in Aberdeen on Saturday night. In doing so, they blatantly broke the rules that had been agreed, between the SFA, the SPFL and the Scottish Government which, to put it mildly, is completely unacceptable.
This morning, the Scottish Government convened a meeting with the SFA and the SPFL. And following those discussions, the football authorities have confirmed that the game against St Johnston – scheduled for tomorrow in Perth – will not now go ahead.
I think that is the right decision. We are expecting members of the public to behave in a highly precautionary manner right now.
When a football club ends up with players infected – and not through bad luck, but through clear breaches of the rules – we cannot take even a small risk that they then spread the infection to other parts of the country.
The Scottish Government will also be contacting all club captains and managers to emphasise the importance of complying with the guidance.
Let me emphasise that directly now. Football has been given the go ahead on the strict condition that clubs and players abide by the guidance that has been agreed. If they don’t do that, they put at risk the return of the professional game.
So I welcome Aberdeen’s statement that they have reminded players of their obligations. That’s important – footballers are role models and they should behave accordingly.
But it’s also important to remind the club – and indeed all clubs – of the obligation they have to ensure that their players are behaving responsibly and in line with the guidance.
Now, to say that this incident is deeply regrettable is an understatement.
But it underlines an extremely important point.
Any time one of us fails to abide by the rules, we put others at risk. And we give this virus the chance to come roaring back.
That’s something we can’t afford to do. We’ve seen – every day of this outbreak – how easily Covid can spread. So we do need to do everything we can to stop it in its tracks.
That’s why we have taken such decisive action in Aberdeen. The new restrictions are designed to minimize the risk of transmission – as we get the bottom of this incident.
These measures are tough – but they are necessary – especially at a time when schools are about to return.
So I want to thank the people of Aberdeen for your understanding – and for doing the right thing. It is hugely appreciated.
The situation in Aberdeen is extremely challenging. And our focus is on getting it under control.
At the same time, we want to learn the lessons of this outbreak. We have seen similar outbreaks in countries around the world. And it’s clear that a common factor in many of them is a link to hospitality.
We’ve always known that settings such as pubs and bars are particularly susceptible to the spread of this virus. That’s why we held back the reopening of hospitality until a later phase. It’s also why we staggered the reopening of hospitality – with outdoor venues opening first.
We’ve also got clear guidance for the hospitality sector, on how it could operate safely. Among other things, the guidance set out important advice on things like physical distancing, cleaning and hygiene arrangements, and the collection of customer details.
Now, it’s very clear many businesses have complied very strictly with those kinds of measures, and I’ve very grateful to them for that. However, we also know there are some where that has not been the case.
The Scottish Government is determined to do everything we can to prevent further outbreaks. And we want to ensure that our hospitality sector can continue to remain open. That’s why today I’m announcing two further measures.
The first is that we now intend to make it mandatory for a range of settings, including hospitality businesses, to collect customer details.
That requirement already exists in guidance, but we are now placing it on a statutory footing. And it should help to ensure that our Test and Protect system can function as effectively as possible.
Second, we intend to issue new statutory guidance relating to indoor hospitality.
We’ll set out more detail on this next week, but the aim is to ensure greater compliance with some of the key public health measures – such as physical distancing. And we will work closely with Police Scotland and local environmental health teams to explain these measures – and if necessary, enforce compliance.
Both these changes will take affect from next Friday. And they will help to clarify exactly what is required of the hospitality industry. However, I want to be emphasise that businesses should already be doing these things. So if you’re not – don’t wait till next week, start complying now:
Premises should be collecting and keeping contact details.
Wherever possible, people should pre-book tables in advance. And there should be no queueing.
People should be seated, with table service.
Customers should not be standing together to watch football, dancing, or queuing at the bar.
There should be no queueing outside either. If it is unavoidable for any reason, those in queues should be physically distanced.
And there should be no background music – or volume from the TV. We don’t want people having to shout or lean in to each other in order to be heard.
Our hospitality businesses obviously have a vital role to play in making premises safe. But as I said yesterday, we are all the first line of defence against this virus. So please think about your own actions.
No more than three households should be meeting together in places like bars and restaurants at any one time. People from different households should be staying physically distant from each other at all times.
The final update I want to cover today concerns the use of face coverings.
At the moment, the use of face coverings is mandatory in shops and on public transport. And we are very satisfied that the vast majority of people are complying with those requirements, and I want to thank the public for that.
When it comes to other enclosed spaces, we currently advise people to wear face coverings. But we have not made it mandatory.
However, as come further out of lockdown, the risks are. More people are out and about. More places have reopened. And more people are gathering together.
So as a precautionary measure, I am announcing today that we are expanding the range of indoor premises where people must wear a face covering.
From tomorrow, that list will include venues like libraries, museums, and places of worship. You’ll be able to find more detail on exactly which kinds of premises are covered, on the Scottish Government website.
I can also confirm today that we are updating our guidance on face visors. Based on the latest scientific evidence, we are not convinced that a face visor on its own provides sufficient protection – to the wearer or to others.
So again from tomorrow, if a visor is worn it must be accompanied by another type of face covering.
These changes will help to reduce some of the risks that people face, and they are not any of them being made lightly. However, it’s important to remember that face coverings are just one additional form of protection. We still must observe all of the other public health guidelines.
So to close today, as usual I want to remind you – once again – of the FACTS, the five rules that we all must follow to stay safe:
Face coverings in enclosed spaces
Avoid crowded places.
Clean your hands and hard surfaces regularly.
Two metre distancing remains the overall rule.
and self isolate, and book a test, if you have symptoms.
If we all comply with these five golden rules then we reduce the risk of this virus spreading and taking hold of us again, so my thanks to everyone who is complying and, as always, my encouragement to those who may need to take greater care in doing so.
