Tag: social distancing

Police granted powers to break up large house parties

Restrictions on social gatherings will come into force from today (Friday 28 August) making it an offence to breach coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance by having a large house party indoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made it clear that the move, which will be reviewed every three weeks, was necessary to ensure socialising can continue in a safe and responsible manner ahead of an expected rise in indoor gatherings during autumn and winter months.

Reports from local outbreak Incident Management Teams suggest that the increasing number of house parties taking place against guidance pose a major risk of COVID-19 transmission and could present high-risk ‘super-spreader’ environments.

Taking responsible action now can help protect families, communities, schools and local businesses from having to return to the stricter lockdown measures necessary to contain any virus outbreak.

The First Minister said: “Seeing friends is particularly important during what is a really difficult period. But it needs to be done safely and responsibly. That is how we avoid the return of some of the stricter lockdown measures and continue to contain this virus.

“We know from our test and protect teams – and also from evidence around the world – that large, indoor gatherings pose a major transmission risk.

“The majority of people, young and old, will be sticking with limits under current guidance – and I am very grateful for that – however, there are a minority who don’t.

“I want to make it very clear – particularly to young people – that this is not about stopping you having fun, but enabling you to have fun safely.

“Ensuring police have the powers to enter and disperse large house parties is another tool in suppressing the virus. While we expect these powers to be used as a last resort, it will help to reduce the potential for future clusters and outbreaks.”

Under current guidance, no more than eight people from a maximum of three different households should be meeting indoors. That remains in place.

To take account of varying sizes and compositions of families across Scotland, it will be an offence for someone to have a party indoors in their house with more than fifteen people from more than one household present, with limited exceptions.

Back to skool

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today made a direct appeal to parents to return their children to the classroom when schools reopen in England next week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I have previously spoken about the moral duty to reopen schools to all pupils safely, and I would like to thank the school staff who have spent the summer months making classrooms Covid-secure in preparation for a full return in September.

“We have always been guided by our scientific and medical experts, and we now know far more about coronavirus than we did earlier this year.

“As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the risk of contracting Covid-19 in school is very small and it is far more damaging for a child’s development and their health and well-being to be away from school any longer.

“This is why it’s vitally important that we get our children back into the classroom to learn and to be with their friends. Nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school.”

Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales made a weekend statement on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening, which says:

  • We are confident in the extensive evidence that there is an exceptionally small risk of children of primary or secondary school age dying from COVID-19. The infection fatality rate (proportion of those who are infected who die) for those aged 5 to 14 is estimated at 14 per million, lower than for most seasonal flu infections.
  • We are confident that there is clear evidence of a very low rate of severe disease in children of primary and secondary school ages compared to adults, even if they catch COVID-19. The percentage of symptomatic cases requiring hospitalisation is estimated to be 0.1% for children aged 0 to 9 and 0.3% among those aged 10 to 19, compared to a hospitalisation rate of over 4% in the UK for the general population. Most of these children make a rapid recovery.
  • We are confident that there is clear evidence from many studies that the great majority of children and teenagers who catch COVID-19 have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
  • Control measures such as hand and surface hygiene, cohorting to reduce number of daily contacts, and directional controls to reduce face-to-face contact remain key elements of maintaining COVID-19 secure school environments and minimising risk.

Children return to school in Northern Ireland this morning, while Welsh children go back next month.

Pupils in Scotland start their second full week of school this morning, and parents are reminded to observe guidelines on social distancing.

Steps include:

  • Limiting the number of family members at drop off and pick ups where possible
  • Following the specific guidance issued to them from their schools
  • Following national advice on keeping two metres apart.

Edinburgh’s Education Convener Cllr Ian Perry said: “We realise it will take time for parents and pupils to get used to the new arrangements around our schools and I want to thank everyone who has been following the advice such as dropping children off away from schools gates so there is no overcrowding.

“We would urge everyone to remember the physical distancing guidelines they have been following so well for the past few months as these also apply outside our schools. Please take on board these simple steps so we can keep everyone safe.”

Education Vice Convener Cllr Alson Dickie said: “Each school is different so specific advice has been issued to parents about the best ways to help with physical distancing at drop off and pick up times.

“Discussions between parents and schools will continue as we find solutions that best support each school. In addition a number of temporary measures have also been put in place as part of our Spaces for People programme to give pupils and their families safer access so they can physically distance using buggies, wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

“We are continuing to encourage parents/carers to travel to school by walking, cycling and scooting where possible so please follow the national guidance so we can keep the virus suppressed.”

Stay safe in the sun

A report will be published by the City of Edinburgh Council today outlining plans for councillors to consider reopening more public toilets.

The Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider the report next Thursday (6 August) following a city-wide review and a proposal to reopen public toilets in ‘hot spot’ areas near busy parks and beaches, which was approved by the Committee earlier this month.

With warm weather forecast from today and lockdown restrictions having eased considerably in recent weeks, people are reminded to use the nearest open public toilet if they are caught short in areas such as the Meadows and Portobello Beach as these have become increasingly popular.

The council’s street cleansing teams are also working extremely hard to keep the city clean and tidy under pressure and we need everyone to help us keep Edinburgh beautiful by binning their litter or taking it home with them to put in their own bin.

Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: It’s fantastic that people will have the chance to enjoy some lovely weather in our beautiful parks and beaches in the coming days as restrictions have eased considerably but if you are, please remember to follow Scottish Government social distancing guidance.

“People should also remember to plan ahead and take any rubbish home with you or use bins provided. Please also be respectful if caught short and use a public toilet or your own at home if no other facilities are open nearby.

“It’s really important that we protect public health at the moment and we will open more public toilets when we can. I would ask everyone in the meantime to plan ahead to minimise use of public toilets where they are open and keep our parks and beaches clean and tidy for everyone to enjoy.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “It’s great that we have so many beautiful spaces across the city where people can enjoy the sunshine but we need your help to keep them clean and tidy.

To try to stop people from littering in the city we’ve teamed up with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland this summer as more and more people are now enjoying our parks, beaches and other open spaces.

“We’re supporting Keep Scotland Beautiful, who have wrapped our bins at Portobello with anti-littering and dog fouling messages to help to keep the water clean and we’re putting Zero Waste Scotland anti-littering messaging on some of our bins in other hot spot areas.  We’ve also put around 40 extra bins out at the Meadows/Bruntsfield links and Newhaven.

Public toilets currently open until 30 October:

  •         Pipe Lane in Portobello
  •         Hope Park in the Meadows
  •         Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens
  •         The Courtyard at Saughton Park
  •         Bruntsfield Links
  •         Hawes Pier, South Queensferry
  •         Cramond

Letter: Social distancing difficulties

 

Dear Editor

With social distancing now part of everyday life it is important to highlight that not everyone can maintain the required distance as easily as others.

People who are blind and partially sighted can struggle to know when they are getting closer to someone, or if someone is approaching them. And guide dogs, of course, aren’t trained to help in this regard.

There have been occasions when individuals have been aggressively berated for coming in to too close proximity to others, when the reality is they simply weren’t aware of it.

In such uncertain times, tensions over distancing can rise. But we would ask that if you feel someone seems to be ignoring the restrictions, consider for a moment whether that person, rather than being careless, might not be able to fully see you.

Thousands of people in Scotland are living with a degree of sight loss. Please be aware that some people do need just a little extra thought.

James Adams

Director

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland

12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh

Edinburgh communities thanked for Covid-19 support

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott has praised the Capital’s communities for their commitment to physical distancing over the past few weeks. The Divisional Commander also called on everyone to keep playing their part in helping fight the spread of coronavirus.

He said: “This has been a difficult and testing time for many of us, but I am delighted by how positively the overwhelming majority of people within Edinburgh have responded to the restrictions.

“Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham has today urged the public across Scotland to continue and stay at home, avoiding the temptation of the good weather. I echo these sentiments.

“Please do not leave the house unless it is for an essential activity such as buying food and medicine, or for travelling to work, if you are a key worker.

“You are also allowed to go out for daily exercise, but please stay within your local area and where possible keep driving to a minimum.

“We have a number locations which attract residents such as Portobello Beach, The Meadows, Inverleith Park, Cramond foreshore and the Pentland Hills, all of which are beautiful in the sunshine, but the safe and responsible thing to do at this time is to avoid these areas where possible to ensure physical distancing.

“The Chief Constable has previously spoken about the importance of police taking a common-sense approach at this time and so Police Scotland officers are committed to engaging with the public, highlighting the necessity of staying indoors and encouraging people to return to their properties.

“If, and only if, these options have been exhausted, will we consider enforcement of the coronavirus legislation.

“Please also remember that house parties and gatherings with anyone out with your household are not permitted at this time. However, there are plenty of other ways to stay connected with family and friends, such as by telephone or by using online platforms.

“Thank you so much for all of your efforts to date but you still have a vital role to play in preventing the spread of coronavirus. Please stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

“Figures issued today show that 118 fixed penalty notices have been issued in Edinburgh between Friday 27th March and Thursday 23rd April.”

Social Distancing guidance for businesses updated

Social distancing guidance for businesses in Scotland has been updated to help provide clarity on protecting employees in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).

It provides further information for employers and makes clear that those providing essential services must follow social distancing requirements.

It asks that the owners of businesses and operators of workplaces not required to close by law to consider whether what they do is essential to the efforts in the fight against the virus or benefit the wellbeing of society.

It also asks those employers if they can demonstrate and provide their workforces with reassurance that they are consistently practising safe social distancing and complying with all other standard health and safety requirements.

If the answer to either of these questions is no, workplaces are advised to close.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses in Scotland and I must thank the many companies acting responsibly and taking action to protect their workers and the wider public.

“The updated guidance we expect to be published today by the UK Government does not apply in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s established priority is public health and fighting the virus.

“Workplaces that do not follow the Chief Medical Officer’s clear and consistent precautionary advice may be putting their employees, the wider public and our NHS at risk.  It is essential that all businesses act responsibly to safeguard the nation’s health, well-being and economic future.

“Our updated guidance asks non-essential businesses to consider whether their employees can work from home and, where not possible, they should close on a precautionary basis until such time it is clear to all staff and unions that they can operate in a way that is safe and fully compliant with social distancing as reducing our social interactions will reduce the spread of coronavirus.

“We need essential businesses and their supply chains to continue in their work and show that they are complying with social distancing guidance. We will work with business and trades union leaders so that we can all be clear on how activity can be undertaken safely and in a way that is fully compliant with social distancing. Unless and until such guidance is in place, non-essential workplaces, including construction sites, should close.”

The updated guidance for businesses.

Social Distancing: what you need to know

Businesses and the public in Scotland are now required by law to follow necessary social distancing measures to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The Scottish Government is using powers from the UK Coronavirus Bill to make it a criminal offence to flout the strict public health guidance that is helping save lives.

To enforce social distancing, people in Scotland are being asked to only go outside if they have a ‘reasonable excuse’.

These include shopping for necessary food, household and medical supplies, travelling to and from work where working from home is not an option, and daily exercise that adheres to social distancing guidance.

Enforcement can be used against businesses and venues that have been told to close, including drinking establishments, entertainment venues, and indoor leisure and sports facilities.

Police Scotland can issue penalty notices of £30, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days, where they have reason to believe there has been an offence under the regulations.

These penalties are doubled for each repeat offence up to a £960 cap, with no reduction for early payment. Due to the exceptional nature of these powers, the regulations will be reviewed at least every 21 days to ensure they are still necessary.

Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said: “There has been a huge effort by the people and businesses of Scotland to respond to the unprecedented situation we face dealing with the coronavirus.

“I would like to thank everyone who is playing their part by staying at home to ensure the social distancing measures we have introduced help stop the spread of the virus.

“While the majority of people are doing the right thing, these regulations provide the police with emergency powers to enforce social distancing where necessary.

“It is only because of the unprecedented crisis we are facing, and to save lives, that these powers are being introduced. They are temporary and will be kept under review.

“I urge the people of Scotland to continue their outstanding collective effort and follow the rules that have been laid down.”

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM said: “I thank the overwhelming majority of people who are complying with very clear guidance to stay at home.

“I expect the public to continue to do their duty and contribute to the national effort to keep people safe from the spread of coronavirus.

“This is a challenging time for people who have to adjust their daily habits and everything we do will be done in a fair, reasonable and proportionate manner.

“Those who persistently and blatantly defy the law must know we will enforce the law.”

The Scottish Government has issued specific guidance on staying at home and away from others to help protect the NHS and save lives.

Guidance for the public

A non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for when people can leave their home includes:

  • shopping for food
  • essential household and medical supplies
  • exercise once a day
  • medical assistance
  • travel to work where work at home is not an option
  • attending a funeral of a member of their household, a close family member or in the event that no family or household member is attending the funeral, of a friend
  • providing care or assistance to others
  • and meeting legal obligations or accessing critical public services

The regulations include powers to enable Police Scotland to enforce restrictions on movement of people outside their place of residence and to disperse gatherings.

This includes the ability to remove people who are outside their home without a reasonable excuse if the police officer has reason to believe it is a necessary and proportionate means of ensuring compliance.