coronavirus – Page 133 – The NEN

Letter: Scandalous

Dear Editor,

It looks like our so-called leaders are making a right fool of themselves and our country at a time when they should be dealing with this pandemic effectively.

Matt Hancock the Health Secretary stated that the public doesnt need to wear masks and should leave them for the NHS staff.

Firstly, its absolutely appalling how this government has failed to respond to this pandemic and are now busy showcasing themselves and pointing the finger at the public who are just trying to keep themselves safe.

Secondly, most of the masks the public are wearing aren’t even fit for purpose for our health workers as they are purchased online on Ebay etc so are you saying this is what our frontline staff should be wearing? If so, this is s shameful suggestion.

The British government has proven itself to be one of the least well prepared of all global governments in dealing with this disease and protecting its people.

This government’s inaction and austerity policy have caused a shortage of face masks and protective for the NHS, so stop blaming the public and get your acts together before its too late.

And the Home Secretary Priti Patel finds it hard to apologise for these failings and thinks this is ok and can be ‘expected because of the situation’.

Stop the deception and do something for the people who are dying instead of bluffing your way through the questions as this is real life and real lives being lost.

These so called “low skilled” migrants who are fighting for this country: whats your contribution?

We want action that works.

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chairman, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

Shedders show the way

Kinross & District Men’s Shed (KDMS) is producing face shields to protect key workers on the front line during the Coronavirus pandemic.

This vital piece of kit provides a barrier to stop workers from touching their face and also protection from the patient if they cough or sneeze.

KDMS is using 3D printers to make the Polylactic Acid (PLA) face shields and requests are coming in at a tremendous rate from the community. KDMS Chairman, David Connor, said: “KDMS wanted to help and one of our Shedders, Jim Forbes, started working in his shed at home to come up with a solution to meet the demand for this life-saving protective equipment.

The Shedders have really stepped up and there is a team of around 12-15 of us involved in taking and recording orders, administration, printing, assembly, quality checks and delivery. More and more Shedders are becoming involved each day to lend a helping hand to this cause.

“Orders are coming in thick and fast from NHS workers, carers, testing hubs, postal workers and shop workers across Ayrshire, Perthshire, Fife, Forth Valley and Clackmannanshire. We had to set up a business model quickly and efficiently to get this right. Everything is done safely from our homes and we communicate through phone and video calls.

“We have fulfilled over 100 orders so far and now have an order for 100 more. We have been receiving photographs and video calls from the key workers when they have received their face shields and it makes everything that we are doing worthwhile.”

Jim Forbes, 81, said: “I had a vision to do this and researched face shields online and came up with a quality product – quick to produce, washable/reusable and light – consisting of four simple parts: the shield’s top frame; standard A4 acetate sheet protector screen; bottom support; and elastic to keep the shield firmly on the face. An advantage of the design is the bridge between the forehead and the face plate which greatly reduces breath aerosol mist (possibly infected) from entering the users’ eyes.

“This 3D printed version needs no tools to assemble except for a pair of scissors to trim the face plate. For Shedders with no access to a 3D printer, we also developed a second product where no tools are required other than scissors.

“Every single item is checked and the shield comes with an instruction leaflet for the end user. We initially had our one Shed 3D printer and my machine but now Culture Perth & Kinross has dedicated their five printers bringing us up to seven solely dedicated to this task.

“A local lady in Powmill who has been printing hundreds of shields has also bought herself another one and offered that second printer to help us if she has any free space. We are now able to produce an output of 40-50 shields per day.

“When it comes to delivery, there is obviously no contact. The order is simply placed in our gardens when we are notified that the person is on their way to collect.”

Shedders have been creating the products at home but are running low on supplies and have set up a Go Fund Me page to pay for much-needed supplies. The Shed has already raised over £2,000 towards materials to date.

KDMS has created assembly instructions, spreadsheets, instruction leaflet and 3D Printer files (STL files and G-codes) that it is happy to share with other Sheds interested in becoming involved to help with their orders or wishing to replicate the model in their local area.

Shedders of Scotland – it’s over to you!

UK leads global fight to prevent second wave of coronavirus

UK aid will protect the British public and help prevent a second wave of coronavirus coming to the UK by slowing its spread in the most vulnerable countries, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced yesterday.

A package of £200 million will back UK charities and international organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing countries which often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. Today’s announcement brings the total amount of UK aid committed to the global fight against coronavirus to £744 million, making the UK one of the biggest donors to the international response.

Health experts have identified the weakness of developing countries’ healthcare systems as one of the biggest risks to the global spread of the virus. They have also warned that if coronavirus is left to spread in developing countries, this could lead to the virus re-emerging in the UK later in the year and put further pressure on our NHS.

The new UK aid announced today includes £130 million for UN agencies in response to their urgent appeal for support. Of this, £65 million will go to the World Health Organization (WHO) which is coordinating international efforts to end the pandemic sooner.

UK funding for the WHO will help provide more accurate assessments of how the pandemic is progressing around the world, allowing support to be targeted where it will save the most lives and stop the outbreak sooner, and helping countries respond to the virus.

The pandemic is particularly dangerous for countries with weak health systems who are already struggling to fight preventable diseases. In Yemen, 80 per cent of the population are already in need of humanitarian assistance and only about 50 per cent of health facilities are operational. In Asia, Bangladesh hosts 850,000 Rohingya refugees, many in crowded and unsanitary camps where disease could take hold rapidly.

These countries will be hard hit by lockdowns and disruptions to the supply of goods and services. UK aid will help to mitigate these conditions and support those already living in desperate situations.

The funding will also help developing countries to rapidly identify and care for patients with symptoms in order to limit human-to-human transmission. Our investment will help install new hand-washing stations and isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps, and increase access to clean water for those living in areas of armed conflict.

International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “While our brilliant doctors and nurses fight coronavirus at home, we’re deploying British expertise and funding around the world to prevent a second deadly wave reaching the UK.

“Coronavirus does not respect country borders so our ability to protect the British public will only be effective if we strengthen the healthcare systems of vulnerable developing countries too.

Our new UK aid support will help stop the virus from infecting millions of people in the poorest countries, meaning we can end this global pandemic sooner and prevent future waves of infection coming to the UK.”

A further £50 million of the £200 million package will support the Red Cross in difficult to reach areas such as those suffering from armed conflict.

A final £20 million will go to NGOs, including UK charities which are using British expertise and experience to deal with coronavirus.

Pioneering British scientists and researchers like those at Oxford University and at Mologic, based in Bedford, are already at the forefront of the global race to find a coronavirus vaccine and stop its spread, including within the UK.

The UK has already committed £250 million of aid to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to rapidly develop a coronavirus vaccine, the biggest donation of any country. Thanks to this investment, future vaccines will be made available at the lowest possible price to the NHS and other countries’ healthcare systems.

The announcement follows the Prime Minister’s call to world leaders to work together to create a vaccine as quickly as possible and make it available to anyone who needs it.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization said: “COVID-19 has demonstrated it has no regard for borders, ethnicities, ideologies or the size of a country’s economy.

“The United Kingdom’s generous contribution is a strong statement that this is a global threat that demands a global response. WHO is deeply grateful to the government and people of the United Kingdom for their generous contribution.

“We are all in this together, which means protecting health around the world will help to protect the health of people in the UK.”

UK aid support for the WHO will not only help developing countries but will also benefit the UK through further research into the virus and improved international coordination.

Alexander Mattheou, Executive Director of International for the British Red Cross, said: “The scale of this grant to the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (including the IFRC and ICRC) shows the gravity of the challenge ahead of us. The virus may not discriminate, but it hits vulnerable communities – those lacking healthcare, sanitation and food – the hardest.

“The British Red Cross, part of the global Red Cross Movement, is responding right now here in the UK, including supporting our NHS. However at the end of the day, the global response will only be as effective as the weakest health system. We must support the most vulnerable countries now as a part of an effort to keep us all safe.

“The pandemic also creates other challenges – from women and girls who become more vulnerable to abuse, to people experiencing chronic hunger who lose access to food support, to camps and hospitals who have critical supplies cut off.

“The COVID-19 response must include the immediate and the secondary impacts of the pandemic.”

Edinburgh doctor raises funds for PPE Equipment

An Edinburgh doctor has started a campaign to raise £50,000 to help provide much needed PPE equipment for his fellow healthcare workers risking their lives across the city.

Dr Nestor Demosthenous, who has his own medical and cosmetic centre on Dundas Street, has started a Just Giving page to raise funds to supply healthcare workers across Edinburgh and the Lothians with the necessary protective equipment such as masks, visors, gowns and gloves.

With the eventual scale of the pandemic in Scotland still unknown, Dr Nestor has started the campaign in the hope that it will go someway in preparing for what other countries are currently experiencing such as Spain and Italy, with healthcare workers significantly affected across the board.

Dr Nestor said: “Having spent many years in surgical training with the NHS, I fully understand the sacrifices that my colleagues are making every day for the safety of others.

“There’s been so many amazing examples of people in the community supporting our local health workers and we were keen to do our part to help protect them.

“The rate of PPE use is at an all time high. Supply is an increasing concern. This makes it harder to get out to healthcare workers fast enough. We’ve seen these issue in other countries. We hope that this campaign can at least help make a difference at a local level.

“We have so far managed to raise just over £6000 thanks to our clients and friends, however there is still a lot of work to do to reach the target. We know the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians will do their best to support this campaign and we urge anyone who wants to help protect these amazing workers to donate something, however small it is, as it will make such a difference.”

As well as starting the fundraising campaign, Dr Nestor has himself applied to support the NHS on the frontline and is currently waiting to be deployed.

To donate to the campaign please visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ppelothians

Creative activities for older people during lockdown

Luminate has launched Luminate@home sessions every Tuesday and Friday at 2pm on their facebook, youtube & vimeo channels.

It is a new programme of short online films demonstrating creative activities for you to do wherever you are. The activities are presented by professional artists and feature different arts forms including crafts, poetry, music and dance.

Luminate has developed the films in partnership with Scottish Care, and they are aimed at people living in their own homes, as well as care home staff who are looking for ideas of activities for residents.

Scottish Ballet Health are streaming health classes every day at 11.30am. The classes will remain accessible on Facebook so they can also be enjoyed at a later time. More info and the full schedule of classes can be found here.

Sporting memories are making their Sporting Pink a weekly printed publication that they use at their clubs to introduce fun activities and help stimulate sporting memories available to everyone. It contains articles, quizzes, a sports diary and more. To find out more and to register visit their website.

Luminate@Home is a programme of online creative activities for older people who are isolated in the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Every Tuesday and Friday, a new short film will be posted online at 2pm to inspire and guide older people through a creative activity that can be done at home or in a care home.

Luminate’s new programme is designed to help people stay engaged and active until the crisis has passed. The activities are presented by professional artists who work regularly with older people in community and care settings, and will feature different arts forms including crafts, poetry, music and dance.

In recent years there has been growing understanding of the positive impact of taking part in creative activities, especially as we get older. An important aspect of this is the ability of arts engagement to help address loneliness and isolation, something which is of concern for older people who are socially distanced or self-isolated in the current situation.

The Luminate team has worked quickly to set up Luminate@Home, offering creative opportunities designed specifically for older people at a time when they may be particularly welcomed.

All the artists involved are missing the regular contact they normally have with the older people they work with and are excited to find new ways to continue to share their creativity. At a time when everyone is socially distanced, each artist will make their film in their own home using whatever equipment is available, ranging from phones to professional cameras.

Filmmaker Graeme Roger is giving advice on the filming process and the artists send their completed films to him to edit and upload to Luminate’s website and social media channels.

Anne Gallacher, Director of Luminate, said: “Luminate has seen at first-hand the power of creativity to impact on loneliness and isolation. The effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on our older people is huge, and I sincerely hope that our Luminate@Home programme will in some way brighten the days of older people who find themselves secluded at home.

“I also hope that our social care colleagues – who are working so hard to support residents in care homes across Scotland – find the films a valuable and enjoyable resource to share. I am very grateful to the artists who are collaborating with us, and who have responded with such enthusiasm and imagination to the challenge of creating these films at a distance.”

Scottish Care Chief Executive, Dr Donald Macaskill said: “I am absolutely delighted to support Luminate@Home. The ‘shielding’ which has been necessary to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens in care homes and in the community inevitably means that people are going to feel isolated and shut off from family, friends and their communities.

“Anything which helps to reduce the fear and anxiety of isolation, to create a bridge to the outside world; anything which helps people to remain active and creative is to be hugely welcomed.

“Luminate have immense experience of bringing the best of the creative arts to Scotland’s older population. This venture is evidence not only of their organisational commitment but of the dedication of the individual artists and performers who are taking part.

“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude in helping to keep us all connected, and I hope entertained over the next few challenging and difficult weeks and months.”

First Minister visits NHS Louisa Jordan facility

The First Minister has praised the dedication of the NHS Scotland staff and building contractors working to establish the NHS Louisa Jordan.

During a visit to the NHS Scotland medical facility at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, the First Minister said their efforts will provide reassurance to people across Scotland and if required, ensure that the NHS has extra capacity to treat patients.

Construction work began on turning the SEC into the NHS Louisa Jordan on Tuesday 31 March. Since then:

23,000 square metres of flooring have been laid
partitions between the beds have been constructed, creating more than 1,000 bed bays
more than 8,000 pieces of medical equipment have been ordered
35,000 metres of network cabling have been laid for the nurse call system
135,000 metres of cabling for lighting and power sockets have been laid
a new bespoke system to ensure oxygen supply to every bed has been put in place with 1,400 medical gas outlets.

The First Minister also urged people across the country to stay at home over the Easter weekend to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The First Minister said: “Everyone involved in establishing the NHS Louisa Jordan deserves our sincere thanks. They are working tirelessly under extremely challenging circumstances to build a unique national facility.

“While I still hope that it will not be needed, the NHS Louisa Jordan will help our NHS to prepare and provide people with reassurance that we have measures in place to help treat people during this pandemic.

“I urge everyone in Scotland to continue to follow the social distancing advice and to stay at home. By following the social distancing measures, they can help to slow the spread of COVID-19, save lives and protect our NHS. If they do this, the NHS Louisa Jordan will not need to open.”

The NHS Louisa Jordan is an NHS Scotland-run medical facility. It will have an initial 300 beds which could expand to hold more than 1,000 patients if required.

Jill Young, former Chief Executive of the Golden Jubilee Hospital at Clydebank, has been appointed Chief Executive of the temporary hospital.

The facility is named after Sister Louisa Jordan, a First World War nurse who died on active service in Serbia in 1915 while providing much-needed care to an area of dire need as part of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Services. Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Louisa Jordan signed up to the war effort in December 1914 while working as a Queen’s nurse in Buckhaven, Fife.

Letter: Future is in our hands

Dear Editor,

I have sent the attached letter to our Prime Minister and First Minister:

Dear Prime Minister

As a Community representative, I wish to raise some points and concerns how the Covid-19 pandemic has been dealt with by our current government. I have many family and friends working on the frontline, alongside thousands of others who share the same concerns. Urgent help from the government is vital.

Covid-19 has shown us what really matters. It has become apparent just how much the government have undervalued the NHS, along with other frontline services and keyworkers, who we are all now desperately relying on.

For the last ten years, funding for our frontline services, such as the NHS, have been cut by the government instead of increasing them. As a result of this, the NHS were not prepared for this pandemic and now risk their lives to save us – lacking the appropriate protective clothing and equipment they need. This lack of preparedness is a huge concern for all of us.

I agree that at times like these we all must work together, there is no doubt about it. As a community leader I urge everyone to please follow the guidelines, stay home, protect the NHS and stop the spread of this disease. Undoubtedly, money must be invested into our NHS and frontline. Staff should always be protected and fully equipped, so they are prepared for the unexpected.

Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the concerns surrounding climate change where rising. The enforced lockdown shows how human activity is largely responsible for the negative impacts of the Earth. This is proven by lower levels of pollution since the lockdown. Taking this into account, it is vital the government learn from this, as this outbreak reinforces the need of a direct government action plan to tackle climate change.

In conclusion, the first case of Covid-19 was reported in November 2019. If we had put resources and time into research and production, the NHS may have been fully equipped and prepared to fight this virus now. Lives may have been saved.

The past cannot be changed, but the present and future is in our hands. It is time to make a change.

Kind regards

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chair ELREC

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chairman: Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council | Chairman: Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh | Director: Edinburgh Mela | President: The Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs, Scotland | General Secretary: Council of Bangladeshis in Scotland.

Government sets out plan for national effort on PPE

To date, over 761 million pieces of PPE delivered across the UK
Full, 24/7 military operation underway to manage supply and demand right across the UK
New domestic PPE manufacturing effort with Rolls Royce and McLaren to make more protective equipment
Website launching to enable primary, social, and community care providers to request critical PPE

A UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) was announced yesterday by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock.

The 3-strand plan launched on Friday will provide clear guidance on who needs PPE and when they need it, ensure those who need it can get it at the right time and set out action to secure enough PPE to last through the crisis.

A full, 24/7 military operation is already underway to deal with the unprecedented, global demand for PPE as a result of this pandemic.

A new national supply and logistics network has been created from scratch in a matter of weeks to manage supply and demand across the UK, and to make sure appropriate PPE reaches those who need it.

A new website, developed with the help of the military, is being rolled out in the coming weeks to improve distribution and will enable primary, social and community care providers in England to order critical PPE.

In addition, a new PPE hub provides easy access to all the government’s guidance on PPE in one place – a one-stop shop people can visit to understand what PPE they need.

This is in addition to a 24-hour helpline that already allows providers to request emergency drops of PPE to meet immediate need.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I will stop at nothing to protect those on the frontline who are fighting this virus.

“Our heroic health and care staff are working around the clock and my absolute priority is to support them. Our new online ordering tool for PPE is supported by a 24/7national supply and logistics network.

“There is a herculean effort behind the scenes, supported by the military, to get the right kit to our frontline heroes. These new supply chains, matched with a call to arms for more businesses and organisations to join this national effort, will help save lives.”

The 3-strand plan sets out:

guidance: being clear who needs PPE and when, and who does not, based on UK clinical expertise and WHO standards. This will ensure workers on the front line are able to do their jobs safely, while making sure PPE is only used when clinically necessary and isn’t wasted or stockpiled
distribution: making sure those who need PPE can get it and at the right time. The government will ensure those who need critical PPE receive it as quickly as possible by setting up a new national supply system
future supply: taking action to secure enough PPE to see us through the crisis. The actions being taken to ensure we have enough critical PPE to last the UK through the pandemic, working alongside industry to boost future supply. The government has already co-ordinated deliveries of PPE directly to health and care providers and to 38 local resilience forums across England. These efforts are being co-ordinated across all 4 nations of the UK to ensure appropriate distribution of critical PPE

Since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, over 761 million items of PPE have been delivered across the UK to 58,000 different settings, including hospitals, hospices, care homes, home care providers, GPs, pharmacists and dentists to ensure our frontline is protected. This includes 158 million masks, 135 million aprons and 360 million pairs of gloves.

The plan also emphasises the need to ramp up domestic production of PPE. The government is calling on industry to join forces to manufacture more protective equipment to support the national effort.

Already companies such as Burberry, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Ineos and Diageo have started work to produce equipment including gowns, visors and hand hygiene products.

Last week, following extensive consultation with the Medical Royal Colleges, all 4 UK governments published updated guidance for PPE for health and care workers. This covers doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers and social care staff.

Critical PPE guidance has also been published for cleaners, funeral directors and first responders. Beyond these roles in settings including supermarkets and public transport, the clinical evidence, which is kept under review, does not suggest widespread benefit from wearing PPE over and above social distancing, social isolation and good hand hygiene.

In addition to this a new dedicated team has been set up to focus on securing supplies and identifying PPE suppliers from across the globe to meet the increasing demand for a growing list of products, with a call to arms to businesses to turn their manufacturing efforts to this response to meet technical specifications published by government.

Businesses and organisations including Kingfisher Group, Apple, Huawei and BP have also stepped up to the plate to generously offer their own PPE for use by the NHS and public organisations.

But health professionals say they need more than warm words and three point plans at this critical time – they need ACTION, in the form of vital PPE equipment NOW.

The British Medical Association has learned that personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies in two large areas of England are running at dangerously low levels, and that some pieces of equipment are no longer available – forcing doctors into impossible situations and ultimately, putting their lives at risk.

The doctors’ union understands that current PPE supplies in London and Yorkshire are not sufficient to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. This means staff and patients are increasingly being placed in harm’s way as they battle against the virus.

The Government is therefore, forcing doctors to place themselves and their patients in grave danger by expecting them to treat COVID-19 patients without adequate PPE.

The evidence comes just two weeks after the Government said that supplies of PPE were plentiful, and that equipment was flowing out to trusts.

According to a recent survey(1) by the BMA, however, more than half of doctors working in high-risk environments(2) said there were either shortages or no supply at all of adequate face masks, while 65% said they did not have access to eye protection.

Futhermore, 55% said they felt pressurised to work in a high-risk area despite not having adequate PPE.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair, said: “No doctor should ever have to be in harm’s way when they go to work, and in these unprecedented times, this has never been more important.

“This is not the flu. We are dealing with an unknown, highly-infectious, and potentially deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of several healthcare workers, including 11 doctors in the UK. It is absurd that the people trained to treat this disease are the ones who are not being appropriately protected – and without them, we face real disaster.

“It’s unclear whether the lack of PPE is directly linked to the recorded deaths of doctors so far, but we know that no healthcare workers have been infected in a hospital in Italy precisely because their PPE supplies are sufficient and of high-quality.

“This must be replicated here, in every healthcare setting, as a matter of urgency. Without it, doctors are being forced into a corner, facing heart-breaking decisions over whether to carry on caring for patients without proper protection and put themselves and patients at risk.

“This is an immensely difficult position to be in, but is ultimately down to the Government’s chronic failure to supply us with the proper equipment. We cannot continue like this, and need to see enough, adequate PPE delivered to staff across the country as soon as possible, not just for our health, but also, and most importantly, our patients’.

“We note the Government’s announcement this afternoon and its three-strand PPE Plan. However, PPE should not be a ‘precious resource’ and for NHS staff facing shortages of protection they need today, they don’t want to hear of a plan, but that this vital equipment is made available to the front line now.”

Lockdown at Easter: Police say thanks

With the Easter holiday under way the Capital’s communities are being thanked for their efforts in staying home and helping tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Superintendent Mark Rennie said: “I’d like to acknowledge the excellent response our residents have provided to the restrictions put in place. We have a population of around 500,000 people and the significant majority of residents and workers have complied with these measures.

“Your collective efforts will help to save lives and protect our NHS, so thank you for your commitment and support.

“We know that being apart from family and friends over holidays, such as Easter, is difficult, but it is essential that we all play our part to keep the public safe.

“The Chief Constable stressed the importance of this when he spoke with the First Minister today and asked the public to continue with the changes, even during the holiday and as the weather gets better.

“Police Scotland officers are taking a common sense approach. We will engage with members of the public, explain the importance of social distancing and encourage them to return home but we will, as a last resort, use the enforcement powers if necessary.

“In Edinburgh during a holiday weekend, weather permitting, areas such as Portobello Beach and The Meadows are common gathering places for the public. However, at this time, we would ask you to follow the instructions.

“By all means connect with loved ones and friends on various online platforms, but please stay at home. It is the safest and most responsible way to enjoy the Easter weekend.”

A total of 32 Fixed Penalty Notices were handed out in Edinburgh in relation to the emergency powers between March 27 and April 9.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM yesterday briefed the country on Police Scotland’s role in the national response to coronavirus, during a session with the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the National Clinical Director Jason Leitch.

Below is a transcript of the Chief Constable’s update and information on how Police Scotland is using emergency powers to support the national response:

The Chief Constable said: “Good afternoon. I am pleased to report that the vast majority of people in Scotland are in fact continuing to do the right thing during this acute health emergency and thank them for that. The social distancing legal requirement to stay home is the best way to protect the NHS and the best way to save lives.

“And of course, community policing across Scotland has a vital role to play as we all make the daily changes and personal sacrifices needed to combat the spread of coronavirus. With the continued support and co-operation of our fellow citizens, Police Scotland will explain the legal instructions, encourage compliance, and when needed, enforce the law.

“Since the emergency powers came into effect two weeks ago, we have been required to take enforcement action in limited situations. Thus far, across the whole of the country, we have issued over 500 fixed penalty notices.

“This has typically been during incidents where people do not comply with legal instructions even after being spoken to by officers. For example, house parties or gatherings in public where those involved refuse to disperse.

“However, overall, compliance has been very high in Scotland and I thank the public for their overwhelming co-operation and commitment.

“Our officers and staff are in communities right across Scotland 24 hours a day, at times putting themselves in harm’s way and I pay tribute to them and thank them for that. Social distancing, staying at home, are the key interventions to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

“Policing in Scotland will always seek to be fair, reasonable and proportionate. That is why I have invited a leading human rights lawyer to review our use of the emergency powers. I ask all our fellow citizens to continue their support and co-operation as demonstrated in recent weeks.

“Please – stay home; stay safe; and follow the guidance. Do not make personal exemptions bespoke to your own circumstances.

“If you are out and about, officers may ask you why. I would encourage you to engage with officers, explain your circumstances, then listen to and act upon any advice given.

“I recognise this is an extremely difficult time, particularly during the Easter holiday period when in normal circumstances we would all be expecting to be out and about, enjoying the good weather and seeing family and friends. But I ask that everyone accepts the changes to our daily lives and the personal sacrifices required. Because, ultimately, it will be to the benefit of us all.

“If we all do the right thing to maintain social distancing, stay home and keep safe, we will protect the NHS.

“If you need help or support from the police service contact us.

“Please, please, stick with it; obey the law; continue to play your part; and lives will be saved.”

Use of emergency coronavirus powers by area from 27 March to 9 April.

Division	Dispersal on request	Dispersal on warning	Fixed Penalty Notice issued	Reasonable force used to return people home	Arrest
A – North East	72	22	38	14	0
C – Forth Valley	80	16	44	2	1
D – Tayside	69	8	15	5	0
E – Edinburgh	106	22	32	3	5
G – Greater Glasgow	404	155	113	10	8
J – The Lothians & Scottish Borders	59	21	18	3	1
K – Renfrewshire & Inverclyde	48	101	67	1	1
L – Argyll & West Dunbartonshire	233	13	42	5	7
N – Highland & Islands	83	14	19	2	2
P – Fife	57	14	29	0	0
Q – Lanarkshire	68	20	57	3	5
U – Ayrshire	129	56	47	7	2
V – Dumfries & Galloway	19	2	16	3	3
All of Scotland	1427	464	537	58	35

Please note this is preliminary management information and may be subject to adjustment.

Group leaders unite in fight against coronavirus

The leaders of the Council’s SNP, Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green groups have come together to issue a joint letter thanking the people of Edinburgh for their part in the city’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The letter recognises the crucial work of NHS staff and essential workers, as well as the efforts of individuals, businesses and other organisations.

It also looks forward to a ‘brighter future’ and shares information on support on offer for all those struggling to deal with the effects of the crisis.

Joint letter to the people of Edinburgh

We face the biggest challenge in living memory, and it’s only by working together as a council and as a city that we’ll be able to overcome it – today we stand together as we thank the city for playing its part in tackling these dark days and look toward to a brighter future together.

Over recent weeks, Edinburgh’s community spirit has proved itself, as people have come together to support one another, to applaud the hard work of the thousands of key workers going the extra mile to serve the Capital and to play their part in limiting the spread of the virus.

We are indebted to the doctors, nurses and NHS staff and frontline carers, as well as the cleaners, teaching staff, refuse collectors and supermarket staff who are working to keep all of us safe and our city functioning. They are all doing vital work to keep our city running during this time of national crisis.

Thousands of residents have signed up through readyscotland.org and volunteeredinburgh.org.uk to help make and deliver food or pick up prescriptions for those who can’t access them themselves. Thank you to all those who are putting their community first – you make Edinburgh the place it is.

We’re equally grateful to all those who have followed national guidance and stayed at home over recent weeks to help limit the spread of coronavirus. Our parks, green spaces and iconic streets were sparsely covered over the weekend, demonstrating that people are following expert advice – please keep going with this.

Thanks goes to the businesses who have closed to help this effort, those who have facilitated homeworking for employees and those carrying out essential work. This is not easy, and small businesses will no doubt bear the brunt of these changes.

We would encourage them to take advantage of support on offer from the Scottish Government while the UK Government’s guarantee to pay 80% of staff salaries while they are not needed to work will help more businesses stay afloat – find out more about support on the Council website and more about safety guidelines on the Scottish Government website.

We’ve been working collaboratively with the Scottish and UK Governments, third sector and the NHS to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community are cared for during this challenging time. There is a range of support on offer for families who are struggling, including that from the All of Us partnership, while the Council is working with partners to protect people facing homelessness.

We must look after ourselves too, and it is crucial that anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus visits the NHS Inform website and follows the guidance there.

From north to south, green to maroon, Edinburgh has always been greater than the sum of its parts. We have seen the best of Edinburgh through this crisis and if we continue to follow guidelines and look out for one another, then we have no doubt that not only will we get through this together, we will emerge stronger as a city and a nation.

Further information on the Council’s response to the coronavirus, and changes to services, are available online.