FSB in Scotland on local covid alert levels

Press Releases 29 Oct 2020

Local covid alert levels announced for Scottish local authorities

The Scottish Government has this afternoon published covid alert levels for Scotland’s 32 council areas.

Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “The success of this new Scottish Government approach depends upon Ministers wielding their powers like a scalpel not a hammer. Today’s changes look like a broadly proportionate response, but that’ll be of little comfort to firms facing new or renewed restrictions who face more tough decisions next week.

“However the travel ban outlined by the First Minister has significant implications for many businesses, like rural firms dependent on visitors from the city. At the earliest possible opportunity, Ministers must explore alternative policies on this front. And in the meantime, they must provide real help for businesses hit by this change.

“The First Minister has suggested that this new strategy is key to preventing a nationwide lockdown. It depends upon shutting down or restricting the activity significant number of Scottish firms. Therefore, we need to see razor-sharp communications from government at all levels, and sufficient financial support for the businesses facing hardship. A good start would be to extend their grant package to firms without business premises.”

ENDS

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