Coronavirus Information Hub

Updates & Announcements

You’ll find the latest developments here as well as on LinkedIn and Twitter. We issue an update on a Friday. To get the update direct to your inbox, sign up here.

Please get in touch via info@foodanddrink.scot if you have a specific question or concern.

Weekly update - Friday 16 October

With the second wave of Covid-19 now developing – there have been a further 8,000 positive cases in Scotland in the last week - restrictions are changing more frequently than the three-weekly formal review points. With an increasingly regional approach to restrictions, the landscape is getting more complex too. This week’s update picks up on the latest changes and new financial support available. Also, with less than 80 days to Brexit, there are a series of webinars by Defra being rolled out to brief you on changes, specific to the category your business is in. More on all of that is below.

The latest restrictions in Scotland – no major changes from last week

Beyond the update on face coverings (see the next section), there have been no major changes to the restrictions facing hospitality. These were summarised in last week’s update but if you want a quick summary of the latest restrictions; as well as the latest rules on personal movements, gatherings as well as travel advice; it is summarised here.

Face coverings within businesses – the new guidance

Following the news in last week’s update on face coverings, new regulations come into effect today (Friday). Anybody in a workplace canteen now has to wear a face covering unless they’re seated at a table or eating and drinking. From Monday, the regulations will also require individuals to wear face coverings in communal areas in workplaces such as corridors. We know this raises some questions of where communal areas start and stop and where guidance on food production areas becomes relevant. There is still some detail being worked on and FSS guidance will be updated where required. A reminder that the latest FSS guidance is always to be found here.

Covid Restrictions Fund – small grants

Next Tuesday, the new grant scheme for businesses directly or indirectly affected by the new hospitality closures will open. Each of the 32 local authorities will manage the funds in their own area. However, the grant levels are very small (£3k if directly having to close, £1.5k if affected by a closure). In addition though, there is £9 million set aside to support employers with furlough costs (essentially topping up the current scheme to reduce the employers contribution). Detail on how that will be delivered and who might be eligible has yet to emerge. We’ll share as soon as we know more.

Brexit changes – get briefed on what it means for you

Defra has a series of webinars that have now started rolling out over October and November covering issues for individual sectors. These will help businesses prepare and I would encourage you to see which ones might be most relevant and to tune in. You’ll find the full list here.

In the meantime, if you need to contact us, please email info@foodanddrink.scot.

All the best

James Withers

Weekly update - Friday 9 October

It has been an difficult week on Covid-19 developments. The changes announced by the First Minister on Wednesday have focussed on restricting hospitality settings, with obvious knock-on effects to food and drink suppliers. As I write, there is still uncertainty for many businesses in the central belt about whether they have to close tonight for 16 days or can remain open with restrictions. Government teams are working all hours to translate announcements into guidance and regulations, so things continue to develop quickly. I would urge anyone seeking clarification to follow our Twitter feeds for up to the minute developments (@scotfoodjames and @scotfooddrink).

New restrictions facing hospitality

A summary of all the restrictions (including travel advice) is available here. The restrictions are complex and distinguish between hospitality outlets in the central belt and those elsewhere. There are also questions of clarification that remain unanswered (see the section below this). However, as a brief summary, here is what takes effect at 6pm this evening (Friday) for hospitality:

For hospitality premises everywhere EXCEPT central belt areas:

all premises can only open indoors between 6am and 6pm, with no sale of alcohol
all premises may open outdoors until 10pm, including for the sale of alcohol, if licensed to do so
the current meeting rules apply in hospitality settings: maximum of 6 people from 2 households
there are limited exemptions for meals and drinks (without alcohol) for guests staying in accommodation, on transport and for student residences
There is an exemption for specific “life events” (e.g. wedding receptions/funerals), which may continue (with alcohol) as per current meeting rules (e.g. 20 person limit in regulated premises)
Takeaways can continue – subject to local licensing

For hospitality premises IN THE CENTRAL BELT area (defined as five health board areas: Ayrshire & Arran; Forth Valley; Greater Glasgow & Clyde; Lanarkshire; Lothian):

All licensed premises must close, except licensed cafes (but see section below)
Licensed cafes may open from 6am – 6pm (without alcohol sale or consumption)
Unlicensed premises may open between 6am and 6pm
The current meeting rules apply: maximum of 6 people from 2 households
The same exemptions as above for outwith the central also apply

Additionally, shops across Scotland are asked to return to two metres physical distancing and reintroduce the mitigations they put in place earlier in the pandemic, including one-way systems.

There is a specific Q&A that may help further here.

When is a café a restaurant?

Licensed cafes can stay open in the central belt (6am – 6pm, no alcohol sales), but licensed restaurants must close for 16 days. This afternoon, a café was defined in new regulations as "an establishment whose primary business activity, in the ordinary course of its business, is the sale of non-alcoholic drinks, snacks or light meals, which may be consumed on the premises." A lawyer will tell you that this opens up a hornet’s nest of issues in terms of legal interpretation and enforcement. At this stage, my advice (personal, not legal!) for those who run a hospitality eatery, if you normally describe yourself as a café or a restaurant you follow the appropriate rules, set out above, for each. I completely appreciate that is not ideal in any way whatsoever. This is a symptom of hugely challenging process of decision-making just now (see below).

Problems with process

A fortnight ago, following confusing advice on hospitality and self-catering rules, we proposed new processes to try and better manage the announcement of new restrictions by Government and communications to businesses. The need for this has been emphasised this week with a frantic 48 hours trying to understand the rules announced on Wednesday before they take effect for the hospitality supply chain tonight. Obviously, the restrictions influence staff rotas and the ordering (or cancelling) or food and drink deliveries. We have asked that we are involved much more closely before announcements are made to identify potential problems or unintended consequences. This call is supported by the other main business representative organisations. We’ll update you on any signs of progress on that front.

Important change to advice for manufacturers

The main change in advice to food and drink manufacturers is a new requirement for face coverings to be worn in communal, indoor areas (e.g. corridors, canteens). The latest guidance is always near the top of the SF&D Coronavirus Hub. However, the direct link to the FSS guidance is here.

As always, follow our Twitter feed for updates and contact us via info@foodanddrink.scot for any enquiries.

All the best
James Withers

Covid-19 - Guidance for food business operators and their employees

Covid-19 - Guidance for food business operators and their employees (Updated September)

Food Standards Scotland has developed guidance by outlining ways that physical (social) distancing can be applied in food manufacturing and processing premises, as well as other mitigation measures that can be implemented by these businesses to enable them to adhere to government advice for preventing the spread of Covid-19.

The guidance for food business operators (FBOs) and their employees aims to assist all businesses in the food and drink sector in following government guidance on infection prevention and control measures against COVID-19. It has been produced with input from the food industry and Trade Unions and reflects the most up to date advice from Scottish and UK Government and Health Protection Scotland.

Click here to read the full guidance.

In addition, while not exhaustive, a checklist of some key Covid-19 controls to consider in the context of business risk assessments is available here.

Previous updates

Friday 2nd October

As set out last week, this weekly update will now capture key developments beyond just Covid-19. For the foreseeable future though, we’ll start with Covid headlines, but we’ll then follow on with any other key developments we think the sector needs be aware of. Not surprisingly, Brexit issues will often be top of that pile and that is reflected in this week’s update. We’re very conscious that, like the early days of Covid-19, trying to find the right information on Brexit at the right time is not easy. And there are still more questions than answers despite being on 90 days from the end of the transition period. However, we will try through these updates to ”cut through the noise” and take you straight the essential information.

Covid-19 development over the last seven days

The big changes in Covid controls were announced last week. There are no further changes this week to personal and business restrictions. As a reminder, if you need a quick summary for you or your staff on the latest restrictions, you can find them in last week’s update, here.

Discussions with Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on preventing and controlling disease spread in businesses

We had an important and helpful meeting with the CEO and Deputy CEO of FSS this week and we were joined by a few businesses. We reflected on lessons learned to date from outbreaks of the virus amongst the workforce of food and drink businesses. The FSS guidance remains the go-to point for business and includes a risk assessment tool. That is available on the SF&D Coronavirus Hub. However, on top of that guidance document, FSS has provided us with a short, two-page document on key issues for businesses to consider. These are the kind of crucial issues that will be looked at by any Incident Management Team, should an outbreak amongst your staff occur. I would strongly encourage every business to look at this checklist as part of a review of their risk assessment. It is available on our website here. Other actions from the meeting include a guide being put together to help businesses understand what information should be available for an IMT, should that situation arise. We will share that when available.

Travel quarantine update

There are a few changes taking effect from 4am on Saturday (tomorrow):

Travellers arriving in Scotland from Turkey, Poland and the Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba must now quarantine on arrival, which means they are required to self-isolate at home, or another specified address, for 14 days.

However, those arriving from the Azores and Madeira will no longer need to quarantine due to the low number of cases.

Where to go for some critical Brexit guidance

One of the biggest challenges in preparing for Brexit is that many questions remain without answers. The lack of any meaningful progress in UK/EU trade talks is still haunting business preparation. We expect to have a meeting with Secretary of State George Eustice shortly around the priority issues in the run-up to the end of the transition period. In the meantime, there are a variety of things businesses can do to prepare now as well as information on what the operating environment will be after 31 December 2020. The Scottish Government has published a new webpage with very helpful links to key information for the food and drink sector. You will find it here.

If you need information on any of the following issues, have a look at the link above:

Practical actions to take now
Getting your non-UK, EU staff registered under the EU Settlement Scheme
Get your UK EORI Number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) – this is important, if you don’t have one, you won’t be able to trade with the EU without it
Some pointers on checking existing contract terms
What changes at UK borders could mean
How to export animal products if we end up in a No Deal situation
Importing products and excise duty involved
What the Northern Ireland Protocol means for food and drink businesses
Understand Export Health Certificate requirements
Which Chambers of Commerce can help with export and customs paperwork

Tune in to Defra’s webinars to understand changes

Defra has a large series of webinars over October and November covering issues for individual sectors and more general issues. These will help businesses prepare and I would encourage you to see which ones might be most relevant and to tune in. You’ll find the full list here.

As always, if you need to contact the SF&D team, please do so via info@foodanddrink.scot

The broadening of this weekly update to cover more issues is new, so any feedback on the usefulness of this update is always welcome.

Coronavirus Information Hub

Updates & Announcements

Weekly update - Friday 16 October

Weekly update - Friday 9 October

Covid-19 - Guidance for food business operators and their employees

Covid-19 - Guidance for food business operators and their employees (Updated September)

Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Updates and Activity

Support for Businesses

Support for Businesses - Financial Assistance

Support for Businesses - Business Help

Support for Businesses - Webinars & Guides

Workforce

Workforce - Adapting Your Workplace

Workforce - Supporting your employees

Workforce - HR & Recruitment

Previous updates

Friday 2nd October

September updates

August updates

July updates

June updates

May updates

April updates

March updates

Public heath advice

Self-Isolation campaign

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