Tag: coronavirus

‘If it’s urgent, it’s urgent’: more Scots taking medical advice

New research has highlighted that people in Scotland are more likely to go to their GP practice or to hospital with an immediate medical concern not related to coronavirus (COVID-19) than they were two weeks ago.

The research, commissioned to support the recently launched NHS is Open campaign, shows just over half of those surveyed (51 per cent) stated they wouldn’t avoid going to their GP practice or a hospital at the moment, compared to 41 per cent a fortnight before – a shift that has been welcomed by the GP fronting the campaign, Dr Carey Lunan, and the Scottish Government’s National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch.

While around a third (34 per cent) agreed they would still delay attending their GP or hospital at the moment, this figure has fallen from 45 per cent before the campaign began.

The Scottish Government is encouraging people to seek medical help for urgent health issues not related to COVID-19, and has launched a campaign in response to figures indicating patients were delaying contacting their GP or going to hospital during the pandemic, that there was a drop in urgent suspected cancer referrals, and a reduction in families bringing their children for immunisation appointments.

People who need immediate medical assistance are being urged to call their GP surgery, or 111 out of hours, and in emergencies to dial 999.

https://youtu.be/lDaVtO81e2k

Dr Carey Lunan, a working GP and Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland, who features in the TV adverts said: “The NHS is open and it’s encouraging to see that the campaign is getting the message across. 

“However, I want to reiterate that if it’s urgent, it’s urgent, and it is just as important as ever for people to seek help if they have an urgent health concern, or are worried about a potential cancer symptom.  You are not being a burden, it’s what the NHS is here for and we want to hear from you.

“Your health and safety are our top priorities, and both GP practices and hospitals are working differently during the pandemic to minimise infection risk. It’s important to reassure you that patients with coronavirus are treated in separate parts of hospitals.

“Likewise, immunisations against other infectious diseases remain a vital part of protecting the people of Scotland, so please do attend your appointments for these. They can easily be rescheduled if you or your family members are showing signs of coronavirus at the time of your appointment.”

 Jason Leitch said: “Thank you to all our health and social care staff for their continuing extraordinary efforts as we face this pandemic. Thanks to them, the NHS remains open because it is vital that you receive urgent medical attention if you need it.

“Your community pharmacy and your GP are open. Your first GP appointment may be by telephone or video but it is still a hugely important step in finding out if you, or your loved one, needs urgent medical help.

“Don’t ignore early cancer signs and symptoms, and certainly don’t delay getting checked – your GP practice is still here for you. If you or anyone in your household notices a rapid deterioration in health, seek help immediately – please don’t ignore the early warning signs of serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, severe asthma, or diabetic collapse.

“Immunisation appointments are a legitimate reason to leave your home and now more than ever vaccinations in children and pregnant women should be up to date. Our childhood immunisation programmes continue, and we urge parents to take their children to be vaccinated so they can be protected against very serious disease, including meningitis and measles.

“We are so thankful to those who are staying inside to save lives and our NHS, but the NHS is still open and there for you.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapp’s statement on coronavirus: 9 May 2020

Announcing a £2 billion package to support active travel to help the country emerge from coronavirus crisis – but this felt like a warm up act before Boris takes centre stage tonight …

Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s Downing Street press conference.

I’m pleased to be joined today by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.

Latest data

Let me start by updating you on the latest information from the COBR data file.

I can report that through the government’s monitoring and testing programme, as of today …

  • 1, 728,443 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 96, 878 tests yesterday
  • 215,260 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 3,896 cases since yesterday
  • 11,809 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in the UK, down from 12,284 yesterday

And tragically, of those hospitalised with the virus, 31,587 have now died. That’s an increase of 346 fatalities since yesterday.

These deaths are devastating for the families and friends of victims, who are in our thoughts and prayers are with all of them every day.

But they also strengthen our resolve to fight this pandemic with all the resources we can muster in the weeks ahead …

Planning for restart/opportunity for lasting change

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out a roadmap for the next phase in our strategy to tackle coronavirus.

In support of this, I am setting out today an ambitious programme to help prepare our transport network for the critical role it will play as we emerge from this crisis.

Importantly, it is true to say that moving beyond COVID will be a gradual process… not a single-leap to freedom.

When we do emerge, the world will seem quite different, at least for a while.

The need to maintain social distancing means that our public transport system cannot go back to where it left off.

Here is a very stark fact …

Even with public transport reverting to full service – once you take into account the 2 metre social distancing rule – there would only be effective capacity for one in ten passengers on many parts of the network.

Just a tenth of the old capacity.

So, getting Britain moving again, while not overcrowding our transport network, is going to require many of us to think carefully about how and when we travel.

Everyone involved

We have accomplished so much over the past 7 weeks of lockdown.

The whole country has been responsible for reducing the COVID reproduction or ‘R’ rate…

Millions of households across the UK have changed their behaviour for the greater good.

Getting Britain moving again, whilst not overcrowding our transport network, represents another enormous logistical challenge.

Yet this is a problem which presents a health opportunity too…. an opportunity to make lasting changes that could not only make us fitter, but also better-off – both mentally and physically – in the long run.

Active travel

During the crisis, millions of people have discovered the benefits of active travel.

By cycling or walking, we’ve been able to enjoy this remarkably warm spring whilst sticking to the guidelines.

In some places, there’s been a 70% rise in the number of people on bikes whether it’s for exercise, or necessary journeys, such as stocking up on food.

So, while it’s still crucial that we stay at home, when the country does get back to work, we need those people to carry on cycling and walking, and to be joined by many more.

Otherwise, with public transport capacity severely restricted, more cars could be drawn to the road and our towns and cities could become gridlocked.

We also know that in this new world, pedestrians will need more space.

So today (9 May 2020) I am announcing a £2 billion package to put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy.

To set out how we will deliver this, I will bring forward a national cycling plan for publication in early June, in line with the statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy to help double cycling and increase walking by 2025.

The first stage, worth £250 million, is a series of swift, emergency interventions to make cycling and walking safer.

Pop-up bike lanes. Wider pavements. Cycle and bus-only streets. All examples of what people will start to see more of.

Accompanying the new money, we are today publishing fast-tracked statutory guidance, effective immediately, requiring councils in England to cater for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, and making it easier for them to create safer streets.

For employees who want to start cycling to their place of work, but who don’t have a bike right now, the popular Cycle to Work Scheme already allows employees to save between 25% and 39% on the cost of a new bike or an electric bike.

There has been a huge increase in people using the scheme, and we will work with employers to increase uptake further.

And for those who may have an old bike in the shed, and want to get it back into a roadworthy condition, there will be a voucher scheme for bike repairs and maintenance.

Plans are also being developed to boost bike fixing facilities.

What’s more, over the next few months, we will set out further measures to make a ‘once in a generation’ change to the way people travel in Britain.

These will include tough new standards for cycling infrastructure;

  • a new national cycling champion to inspire us
  • much closer links with the NHS, with GPs prescribing cycling to help us get fitter
  • legal changes to protect vulnerable road users
  • at least one “zero-emission city,” with its centre restricted to bikes and electric vehicles
  • and the creation of a long-term cycling programme and budget, just like we have for our roads

There’s clear evidence, including from the Prime Minister’s time as mayor of London, that making streets safe for walking and cycling is good for retailers, business and the economy.

Green travel / E-scooters / E-vehicles

And in making these changes, our national recovery can also become a green recovery.

One of the few positive benefits about the crisis is drastically better air quality and the health benefits that that brings.

More than 20,000 extra deaths a year in the UK are attributed to nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are highest in areas with most road traffic.

We want to try to preserve this as much as possible.

So today I’m also fast-tracking trials of e-scooters, bringing this programme, already underway, forward from next year, to next month….

And extending those trials from four local authorities to every region in the country that wants them….

… in a bid to get e-scooter rental schemes up-and-running in our cities as fast as possible….

Helping reduce car use on shorter journeys, and taking some pressure off buses, at this vital time.

These trials will help us assess their safety and benefits, together with their impact on public spaces.

The car industry has of course been very badly hit during this crisis, but April’s new sales figures showed – for the first time – that the two biggest selling models were both electric vehicles.

So, to help keep this quiet, clean car revolution going, I can also announce today, £10 million of additional support for car-charging points on our streets.

The car will remain the mainstay for many families and, as well as backing electric infrastructure, we’re going to accelerate the filling of pot-holes that plague so many road users.

Data

And just as new technology is changing the vehicles we use, so new digital technologies will help us make more informed transport choices in our battle against Covid.

At a time when transport demand could quickly overwhelm capacity if users have no access to real-time travel information…

… It is crucial that we take advantage of the UK’s digital tech expertise.

With the right mobile apps, people can find out which parts of the transport network are overcrowded. And avoid them!

They can choose alternative travel options, to help maintain safe social distancing…

… or they can get information to help stagger their journeys – and lift the burden on public transport at peak times.

This week I chaired a roundtable with key players like Google, Microsoft, and British firm, Citymapper, to develop both data and apps to help the public view crowding across the transport network, in real-time.

Overall package

This £2 billion announcement represents the most significant package of cycling, walking and green travel by any British government.

Clearly, it will never be possible to cycle, walk or e-scooter everywhere. Cars will remain an absolutely vital form of transport for many….

And so in the coming days…

as we look to the future…

… there will be further announcements about the huge investment we’re making in road and rail networks – taking advantage of their low usership during this COVID crisis.

Closing remarks

Finally, as we begin the process of preparing public transport to get Britain moving again, no-one should underestimate the sheer scale of the challenge ahead.

Even with every train, bus and tram fully restored to service – this will not be enough.

Social distancing measures mean that everyone who travels will need to contribute to meeting this capacity challenge.

Changing our behaviour is the single biggest thing that’s beaten back this virus.

The welcome fall we’ve seen in deaths is not only the achievement of our doctors and nurses and careworkers – but of everyone in the country for following the stay at home guidance.

To re-iterate, nothing I have said today changes these basic rules.

But as we contemplate the future, we will have to carry on making changes, particularly after we leave our homes.

Preventing overcrowding – which could lead to a second spike and more deaths – will be the responsibility of each and every one of us.

So please, only travel when you need to.

Be considerate to others, and help us prioritise essential workers.

And let’s all play our part in Britain moving safely again when that time comes.

We don’t have too long to wait until the Prime Minister’s much-anticipated ‘road map’ to coronavirus recovery is revealed.

He addresses the nation at 7pm this evening with a new – much-criticised – ‘Stay Alert’ message.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon may just give us an idea of what his announcement contains when she gives her own media briefing this afternoon – an opportunity to get her retaliation in first!

In the meantime, though, the message HAS NOT CHANGED – STAY HOME!

Overwhelming majority of Scots support lockdown restrictions

Staying at home to save lives is recognised as a vitally important action in tackling coronavirus (COVID-19).

Over 90 per cent of people who responded to surveys carried out for the Scottish Government during April agreed that by remaining at home, they would be saving lives and protecting the NHS.

There was also general compliance with the guidance about physical distancing, with up to 80 per cent of those surveyed saying that they are keeping to the two metre distancing advice.

The polling also reveals that 85 per cent of respondents believe that the best thing to do during the COVID-19 crisis is follow government advice.

The findings are contained in a report published by the Scottish Government summarising two surveys on public attitudes carried out weekly during the COVID-19 crisis.

The surveys, by Ipsos MORI and YouGov, are part of a range of analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government to understand the impact of the virus and measures to suppress it.

The weekly online surveys provide information about key issues including the national mood, wellbeing, awareness, public behaviours and trust in government.

Key trends from the report, covering a six week period from 16 March to 24 April, are:

  • Levels of anxiety and worry associated with COVID-19 remain relatively high
  • Awareness of and support for compliance measures is high
  • The NHS was consistently rated highly in terms of doing a good job to contain the virus
  • Levels of trust in information from the Scottish Government were high

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “It is vital that we collect and analyse as much information as possible to inform our decisions on tackling the COVID-19 outbreak and these surveys provide valuable evidence about public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.

“The surveys show compliance with physical distancing measures is high and we thank the public for their continued observance of these vital rules at this critical time.

“We recognise that public tolerance of the distancing measures is hard to sustain, and that these measures in turn have wider impacts on society and the economy, but we ask the public to continue to comply with them until we are certain we will not be risking a resurgence in infection rates.

“The surveys also highlight the very high regard the public has for the NHS and that levels of trust in information from the Scottish Government remain high.”

public-attitudes-coronavirus-april-summary

Singalong gives nurses time to feel ‘normal’

A senior nurse at Glasgow Royal has treated her staff to an afternoon singalong to thank them for their dedication while she battled Covid-19.

Lead nurse Trisha Myers, from Moodiesburn, was ill and off work for three weeks with the virus and was ‘blown away’ by the efforts of her 260 staff during that time.

“I have been nursing for almost 40 years, I have not known such an emotionally draining time to be a nurse and it can take its toll,” said Trisha.

“I was off for three weeks with the virus and was stunned when I returned to see how well they were all doing. When I ask nurses and other staff how they are doing I just hear ‘we’re getting on with it’ and that in itself is remarkable.”

Trisha wanted to show her gratitude and went about organising a one hour singalong, complete with snacks and drinks in the old surgical block of the Royal – while adhering to the all-important rules of social distancing.

Trisha received support from a number of volunteers and was hugely supported by Louise Colquhoun, Volunteer coordinator who led the singalong.

“The nice thing about where it was held is that it’s a large atrium, going up five floors, so even those who couldn’t come down and join us, could enjoy the music and atmosphere from their balcony. I just wanted them to take 20 or 30 minutes, out of PPE, to feel ‘normal’ again,” said Trisha.

One member of staff to benefit from the experience was Health Care Support Worker Carole Smith. She said: “The celebration was a huge success, a great benefit, let staff have some enjoyment in this difficult time.

“It definitely cheered the staff up and made us feel lucky to have their health and well-being. A definite success, and a good time had by all.”

John Stuart, Chief Nurse added: “What an excellent gesture from Trisha which was welcomed by those who were able to attend. I only managed to get along for some of the songs but it was clear that the singalong proved to be a release valve for many of our staff. Maybe more will now join the GRI Choir now!”

UK Government tries to quell lockdown lift expectations

Environment Secretary George Eustace spoke at the daily government press conference on 8 May 2020 to give the latest update on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s Downing Street Press Conference. I’m pleased to be joined today by Steve Powis the medical director of NHS England.

Before we give an update on the latest figures on the Coronavirus and also our work to help support the vulnerable get access to food.

Today is of course the 75th anniversary of VE day and although many of the lockdown measures and the social distancing measures that are in place mean that many of the planned events have been unable to take place as originally envisaged, today is an important day to pause and remember and 75 years ago people poured into the streets of our scarred cities to celebrate the end of that most difficult conflict.

Our soldiers fought around the world, there were countless acts of bravery, 450,000 British people sadly lost their lives and it was a moment when our whole country pulled together.

As Defra secretary I would like to take this opportunity to record the efforts of those who also contributed in a non-military way, in particular our farmers who stepped up to ensure the nation was fed and the many women who responded to the call to join the Women’s Land Army.

In a moment I am going to give an update on our work to support the vulnerable get access to food, but firstly let me give you an update on the latest data from the COBR coronavirus data file.

I can report through the governments ongoing monitoring and testing programme as of today:

  • 1,631,561 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 97,029 tests carried out yesterday;
  • 211,364 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 4,649 cases since yesterday;
  • 11,788 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus, down from 12,688 the previous day.

And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 31,241 have now died. That’s an increase of 626 fatalities since yesterday. This new figure includes deaths in all settings not just in hospitals.

We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these victims.

Turning now to our work to help the vulnerable get access to food, firstly for the so called shielded cohort. That’s those who are clinically vulnerable.

Over a million food parcels have now been delivered to these households and in addition, all those in the shielded cohort have been added to a list giving them priority access to supermarket delivery slots. So far around 400,000 people have been offered priority delivery slots by supermarkets and around 1 million orders have been placed ensuring that people can shop normally and purchase the goods that they want to buy.

There is of course a wider vulnerable group, those who perhaps have disabilities or who are elderly and perhaps don’t have neighbours or relatives close by to help them. Or indeed those with other conditions that don’t put them in the clinically shielded group but nevertheless make them vulnerable and we have been working with local authorities, and some of the leading charities such as Age UK to put together a package of support to help these people get access to food.

And many local authorities and charities have also been accessing the Good Samaritan app as part of the NHS responder volunteer programme and so far 79,000 shopping runs have been carried out by volunteers engaged in that programme.

In addition we are continuing to work with supermarkets to make available additional priority slots for those in this group. But we also recognise that the economic impacts of coronavirus means that vulnerability is not about physical access to food, for some there is also financial vulnerability, so today we are announcing a new £16 million fund to support frontline food charities.

The fund will be used by Fareshare and WRAP to continue and support and increase the food redistribution work that they already do and will significantly expand their sourcing capacity. They will be delivering food to around 5,000 frontline charities and these include refuges, homeless shelters and rehabilitation centres.

Finally I am conscious that there is a great deal of speculation about what the Prime Minster might say on Sunday when he outlines the roadmap for the future and how we will evolve the current restrictions.

The Prime Minister will outline any changes to the guidance on Sunday but in the meantime in spite of the sunny bank holiday it is vitally important that we continue to abide by the current restrictions, stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

Concluding the press conference the Environment Secretary said:

I would also as I have done before like to conclude by recording my thanks to all those working in the food industry; from supermarkets and food manufacturers right through to farmers, there has really been quite an extraordinary effort over the last couple of months to ensure that we keep food on our supermarket shelves.

Thank you all very much.

Edinburgh Police: Stick with the guidance and stay at home

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott has asked everyone in Edinburgh to stick with the guidance to stay at home as part of the collective effort to slow the spread of #Coronavirus.

He said: “Across Edinburgh, we have seen people playing their part, engaging with our officers and complying with the guidance in place to protect the NHS and save lives.

“The restrictions in place have not changed and we need everyone to continue engaging and co-operating with us.

“We are still here for you. If you need to report a crime or you have concerns about someone who may be at risk of harm, please let us know. We will help.”

The latest information on interventions by Police Scotland, including a divisional breakdown, is available here ➡️ http://ow.ly/2NjG50zAU32

#StayHomeSaveLives 🏠

First Minister: “You have been magnificent”

Statement given by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh yesterday (Friday 8 May):

Good afternoon. I’m joined today by Iain Livingstone, Chief Constable of Police Scotland and Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director.

We’re starting a bit later today, because of the commemorations for VE Day.  At 11 o’clock, with members of our armed forces here at St Andrew’s House, I observed the two minutes’ silence.   I’m sure many of you, watching at home, did the same.

On the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Scotland remembers all those who lost their lives, during the conflict.  We think of all the men and women who served– at home and abroad.  And in doing so, we consider the incredible legacy of our World War 2 generation.

Their sacrifices ensured the freedoms that we enjoy today.

The challenge they faced then is, of course, very very different to the one we face today – we are not fighting a war – but we should nevertheless draw strength and inspiration from their example.

They showed the necessity and value of personal sacrifice for the common good.

They demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit and our ability to overcome adversity.

So as we pay tribute to them for the bravery, dedication and idealism they showed 75 years ago, let us also thank them for the inspiration they give us today.

Our challenge may be different but, just as they did, we will overcome it.

Now, there are a few items I want to cover today.

First, as I always do, I will update you on some of the key statistics in relation to COVID-19 in Scotland.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, there have been 13,149 positive cases confirmed – an increase of 225 since yesterday.

A total of 1,584 patients are in hospital with the virus either confirmed or suspected – that is a decrease of three from yesterday.

A total of 84 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. That is a decrease of two since yesterday.

I am also able to confirm today that since 5 March, a total of 3,016 patients who had tested positive and been hospitalised have been able to leave hospital. I wish all of them and their families well.

And unfortunately I also have to report that in the last 24 hours, 49 deaths have been registered of patients who had been confirmed through a test as having COVID-19 – that takes the total number of deaths in Scotland, under that measurement, to 1,811.

As always, I will stress that these numbers are not simply statistics. They represent individuals whose loss is a source of grief to many people. And I want as always to send my deepest condolences to everyone who is grieving a loved one lost to this virus.

I also want to thank – as I always do – Scotland’s health and care workers.  Once again, last night, I – like so many others – joined in the applause at 8 o’clock.  It has become a very important moment of the week.  And it’s just one small way in which we can as a country show our gratitude, for your extraordinary efforts.

Before I move on to the main item for today, I want to provide a quick update on testing capacity which is important now but becomes even more important as we look ahead to the next phase of tackling this virus.

Since I updated you – this time last week – testing capacity within our NHS has risen by more than 2,000.  Together, with the capacity from the Lighthouse Lab at Glasgow University, that brings Scotland’s total testing capacity to over 10,000 tests per day.  And we expect that number to exceed 12,000 per day by this time next week.

We should remember we started at the outset with a testing capacity of 350 so this is a significant step forward and I want to thank everyone who is playing their part in making that progress possible.

The main issue I want to talk about today is about the decision to extend lockdown – while of course keeping the situation under ongoing, indeed daily review.

Yesterday, I spoke to the Prime Minister – and reiterated that Scotland’s lockdown restrictions would stay in place for now.

There was, I think, a helpful recognition in that call that the four UK nations may well move at different speeds if our data about the spread of the virus says that it is necessary to suppress it- but we would of course continue to co-ordinate our planning and messaging as far as possible.

In line with that, I confirmed that the only change we’re considering in the immediate term is to the guidance on outdoor exercise, I mentioned that yesterday and I will give a further update on that over the weekend.

I also emphasised the importance – in my view – of maintaining a clear ‘Stay at Home’ message and the Scottish Government’s intention to do so for the immediate future.

That position is based on our assessment of the evidence – and on what we think is right for the protection of the people in Scotland.

As I said yesterday, we are not yet confident that the all-important R number is far enough below one.  In fact, we think the R number here in Scotland may still be a bit higher here than in other parts of the UK.

That’s why sticking with the lockdown measures at this stage is so important.  It’s key to driving down infection rates and driving down the R number.  And that – in turn – is a prerequisite for any easing of the restrictions.

So for now, the message remains the same.  You must stay at home, please stay at home.

Except for essential purposes such as exercise, or buying food or medicines – you should not be going out.

If you do go out, you should be staying more than two meters from other people, and you should not be meeting up with people from other households.

You should wear a face covering if you are in a shop or on public transport.

And you should isolate completely if you or someone else in your household has symptoms.

I know how difficult these restrictions are.  And I know that they will feel especially tough over this long weekend, when the sun is out.

However, I’m also very confident that the vast majority of you will continue to comply with these rules.    After all, you have been magnificent over these past few weeks. 

By doing the right thing, you have helped us to make really significant progress.  And I know that you won’t want – any more than I do – to throw that progress away at this stage.

As I said at the start, I’m joined today by the Chief Constable – who will say a little bit more about compliance, and how these restrictions are being enforced.  And I want to take this opportunity again to thank all the police officers and staff who are helping Scotland through this crisis.  You are doing a difficult job, exceptionally well – and I’m hugely grateful to all of you.

None of us, including me, want these restrictions to be in place for a minute longer than they need to be.  But we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent against this virus.

By easing the restrictions prematurely, we would risk undoing all the progress we’ve made.  We would risk allowing the virus to spread out of control.  And that would cost lives.

So for now, all of us need to continue to comply with the restrictions.  It remains our best chance of continuing to slow the spread of this disease, of protecting our NHS – and saving lives.

The final issue I want to cover concerns the economic impact of COVID-19.

This morning, as I do every Friday, I chaired the Cabinet sub-committee on the economy.

As usual, one of the key items we discussed was support for our businesses.  We are determined to do everything we can to help Scotland’s businesses through this crisis.  A crisis not of their making.

Yesterday we launched a new £100 million loan fund for housebuilders.  The fund is aimed at small and medium sized firms that are facing short-term liquidity problems.

We know that housebuilding companies, especially smaller ones, have been hit by the temporary halt in construction activities.  This fund will help to ease any cashflow or liquidity problems that they have. And it will help to safeguard jobs for the future as we work with the construction industry to look at a safe restart of their activities.

Today, I can announce further support for businesses.

Just over a week ago, we launched a £45 million new Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund.  That fund will provide grants to small and medium sized businesses – businesses that are potentially vital to Scotland’s economic future, or to the economy of local areas – but which have been made vulnerable by this crisis.

We have already received a very significant number of applications.  So today, I am announcing that we will double the size of that fund – to £90 million.

That is a direct response to feedback from business. It’s part of our commitment to ensure that every penny of consequential funding from UK Government decisions is passed on here in Scotland. And it demonstrates our determination to support businesses which are suffering, through this unprecedented crisis.

I want to close by reiterating my main message for today – about the importance of staying at home.

I know it’s tempting to think that this weekend – after so many weeks of lockdown – we can allow ourselves one little slip.  You might even think – given recent unhelpful news headlines – that things have eased up, and that there’s somehow less at stake.

But I want to emphasise as strong as I possibly can – that is absolutely not the case.  The risk remains too high.   And if we do we risk delaying the moment of easing.

The one time you ignore the guidance could be the time when you get infected with the virus – or it could be the time you pass it on to a loved one, without knowing it.

So please, do not throw away all of your good work. Do not put yourself or loved ones at risk.

The fact is these restrictions are working.  They are helping us to slow the spread of this virus.  So we need to stick with them for a bit longer.

By doing that we save lives.  And we hasten the day when we can – and we will – return to some semblance of normality.

As I said earlier, personal sacrifice for the common good is a lesson we can learn from those whose courage 75 years ago we  remember today.

So I want to thank all of you for making the sacrifices you are making and doing the right thing. I hope you all stay safe.

And I hope – in these trying circumstances – you all have the best possible weekend.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM joined First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the National Clinical Director Jason Leitch during the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing. He said: 

Thank you First Minister. Good afternoon. From the beginning of this emergency, I have been clear that policing has an important supporting role to play in helping the national effort to combat coronavirus.

Police Scotland’s response and our service will be assessed against three things – how the work of our officers and staff to support physical distancing contributes in some way to reduce the mortality rate in Scotland; secondly, whether, through our actions, we can maintain, and possibly even enhance, the very strong relationship of trust that policing has with the public of Scotland; and thirdly, that in doing this we protect the health, welfare and safety of all our officers and staff and their families.

What we have seen and experienced across Scotland to date, is that communities have stepped forward, collectively, and as individuals, to do their duty, to help each other. I want to acknowledge and highlight in particular the significant sacrifices which children and young people are making during this important stage of their lives, when many milestones and events are arising.

To my mind, this reflects the fact that my officers and staff are experiencing high levels of co-operation and consent from our fellow citizens, as policing does our part to support the application of what I acknowledge are very restrictive measures on personal freedoms.

Reassuringly, we have seen some early indications in an independent survey commissioned by the Scottish Police Authority that public confidence in policing in Scotland remains solid during this time, and is perhaps even higher than it had been prior to this emergency.Going forward, we will continue to value the trust of the public and support them during these difficult days.

And, I’m extremely grateful for the public’s support for policing. It is my plea, today, for everyone to continue to exercise the self-discipline, commitment and common sense, which has, thus far, served us all well.

It is essential to protect the NHS and to save lives. Please stick with it.

The First Minister has discussed how things may change in the future, when it is judged safe to do so.

We don’t know exactly when any changes will come, what they will be or how they will be viewed. What I can tell you is that the Police Service of Scotland will continue to act with courtesy and common sense and in line with our values of public service.

As I have explained before, I have commissioned independent, expert, assurance led by a leading human rights lawyer, John Scott QC, to better understand the effect of the emergency legislation in our communities, and help us to discharge our duties consistently and fairly.It remains crucial that everyone right across the country continues to play their part. Please – stay home; stay safe; and follow the guidance.

Officers will remain visible in communities across Scotland and may speak with you to explain restrictions and encourage you to adhere to them. Where necessary, and bluntly as a last resort, we will enforce the law.

At the same time, I want to reiterate that Police Scotland remains here to help and support our fellow citizens to keep them safe in all aspects of their lives.

Sadly, for some people, the stay at home guidance may expose them to a greater risk of abuse, harm and neglect. I know that private, and indeed virtual, spaces are not safe places for everyone.

If you need police assistance, if you need our support or intervention, or if you have concerns about someone else, contact us and we will help.

We are here 24 hours a day to support those in need, support those who may be vulnerable, and to ensure fairness and the rule of law.

Police Scotland officers and staff are working around the clock, at times putting themselves in harm’s way, to respond to coronavirus and day to day policing demands. I reiterate my respect as Chief Constable and thanks for all they are doing and will continue to do.

And I ask you, the people of Scotland, please continue to work together during this emergency. It is a shared mission for everyone in Scotland to reduce the spread of the virus, protect each other, and save lives.

Thank you for your forbearance and commitment.

Stay safe; look after yourselves; look after each other; and look after your families.

Police Scotland has also published updated information on the enforcement of the coronavirus regulations. You can read that information here.

RNLI plans to provide reduced lifeguard service on beaches this summer

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak, the RNLI hopes to provide a lifeguard service on around 30% of the beaches the charity usually covers this summer, if government guidance allows. 

Rollout of the normal seasonal lifeguard service was paused at the end of March due to the measures put in place by the UK Government to control the spread of Coronavirus.

In the anticipation that there may be changes to the lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks and months allowing the public to visit beaches around the UK and Channel Islands, the RNLI has been looking at plans to resume a lifeguard service where possible.

This needs to be consistent with government guidance but the plan is for the service to build in time so that lifeguard patrols reach 70 beaches by peak season. Beaches will be chosen based on risk and popularity. The RNLI will also look to achieve a geographical spread while making sure the service provided is flexible and sustainable enough to respond to what may be an ever-changing environment.

RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, said: ‘The RNLI is incredibly proud of its highly skilled lifeguards who work alongside the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crews, HM Coastguard and other emergency services.

“RNLI lifeguards are professional lifesavers and will be essential when the lockdown is lifted and people head to our coastlines and enjoy our beautiful beaches.

‘The current situation means that the operational logistics and training behind setting up a lifeguard service – normally in full swing at the moment – have had to stop. Re-establishing this infrastructure and distributing equipment to beaches will take time. And we must also make sure that conditions are safe for our lifeguards to provide an effective service – our priority remains the safety of our people and the public.

‘But despite these challenges, and given enough notice of lockdown lifting, we’re hoping to put lifeguard patrols on around 70 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands.

‘We are planning for a service that we can adapt to changes in Government guidelines and restrictions. We don’t know whether people will be allowed to visit beaches, what social distancing restrictions will be in place, or whether we’ll have periods where restrictions are relaxed and then reintroduced.

“We’re also looking at how we provide our lifeguard service – we may have a more agile service that can adapt to changing circumstances – so it may look a little different to previous years. And we’re working with local councils, landowners and partners to make sure the environment lifeguards return to is safe and appropriate precautions are in place.

‘While the main challenge of rolling out a lifeguard service will be logistical, as a charity we do also need to consider the financial challenge we currently face and our fall in income due to restrictions on how we can fundraise.

‘The reduced lifeguard service will continue to be supported by our lifeboat stations around the coast. Our lifeboat volunteers have been on call 24/7 to help those in trouble at sea throughout the coronavirus outbreak – and will continue to be so this summer.

“We will also be giving water safety advice throughout the summer. During the coronavirus outbreak we have seen great examples of people coming together, so our focus is to work with the public to succeed in ensuring the coast is a safe place to visit when restrictions are lifted.’

The RNLI is urging everyone to follow current Government instructions until these restrictions are lifted. The guidance is clear: stay home, protect frontline workers and save lives. While you are allowed outside for daily exercise, we do not recommend that this exercise is on or in the sea.

If you are able to visit the coast for your daily exercise, while adhering to Government advice, we urge you to remember the following RNLI safety advice:

  • Take care near cliffs – know your route and your limitations
  • Check the weather forecast and tide times
  • If you fall into the water unexpectedly, FLOAT TO LIVE. Fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float
  • In any coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard

Car use is rising despite the lockdown

  • Figures show a steady increase breakdowns and average miles driven per day
  • More than a third of drivers say they are using their vehicles more for food shopping as well as trips to DIY stores

Ahead of this weekend’s announcement on how the UK might begin to ease the current lockdown restrictions, an RAC study confirms drivers are already using their cars more than they were earlier in the coronavirus lockdown.

The study analysed RAC ‘black box’ driving data, breakdown numbers and route planning figures since the lockdown began. Comparing the second week of lockdown with last week, 11% more cars were on the road and 23% more daily miles were driven, based on analysis of hundreds of thousands of trips taken by RAC Black Box Insurance customers with telematics units fitted.

Vehicle breakdowns are also up, with those attended by RAC patrols up by nearly a fifth (18%) across the same period.

The number of routes planned via the RAC Routeplanner is also increasing, suggesting a rise in trips being taken by drivers. More routes were planned on Monday 5 May 2020 than on any other day during the lockdown, with 16% more planned on this day than just a week earlier.

Comparing lockdown week two (w/c 30/3/20) with lockdown week six (w/c 27/4/20), there were:

11% more cars on the road

23% more daily miles driven

18% more RAC breakdowns

The data is supported by the findings of a new survey by the RAC which suggests that four-in-10 drivers (41%) admit they are now using their vehicles more frequently than earlier in the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

The survey of 1,500 drivers found that the top reason for using a car more was for food and grocery shopping (almost a quarter, 23% of drivers), while 9% said that they were doing so to pick up essential supplies or for trips to a pharmacy.

But worryingly, a small but appreciable 5% said they were using their vehicle more now to specifically purchase alcohol, while the same proportion (5%) said they were going out in the car specifically to visit DIY stores as Britons look to make home improvements while spending more time at home.

A slightly smaller proportion of drivers (4%) said they were using their car more to drive somewhere to do exercise, and the same percentage said they were using their vehicle more for work purposes.

A fraction of drivers (1%) said they were taking their car solely to give it a run, with the same proportion citing the reason as driving to a beauty spot. The same percentage (1%) said they driving to see relatives or friends though it is unclear whether these relatives are vulnerable and require assistance.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “There is now mounting evidence that people are venturing back out in their vehicles for more essential, as well as arguably non-essential journeys.

“This perhaps is being driven by lockdown fatigue and boredom while the sunny spring weather might also be enticing drivers back into their vehicles. Additionally, some who are indoors might have chosen to carry out home maintenance and DIY, so have taken an opportunity to visit DIY stores that are now open.

“Our own data clearly shows a slight, but nonetheless steady, rise in the number of drivers using their vehicles, and the distances they are travelling in them on a daily basis, compared with earlier in the lockdown. As we near the end of the seventh week of the lockdown, all eyes are on what the Government announces this weekend in terms of how and when movement restrictions might be lifted.

“Until anything concrete is confirmed, the current advice remains to only go out when necessary for essential purposes, or where you cannot work from home. Even where drivers need to head out to pick up food shopping, this should be done as infrequently as possible to help stop the spread of the virus. The question drivers should ask themselves before venturing out is ‘do I really need to?’

“By only using the car for essential journeys at this time, we’re not only helping prevent the virus spreading, but are also reducing the risk of being involved in a road collision and avoiding putting any further pressure on the NHS.”