Coronavirus Information Hub

Updates & Announcements

You’ll find the latest developments here as well as on LinkedIn and Twitter. 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.

Key issues update - Friday 18 June

Covid - what is coming next?

The First Minister signalled this week that the planned move for most of mainland Scotland to level 0 is unlikely to happen on 28 June as originally intended. Mirroring England’s delay to the further unwinding of restrictions, it is now likely that level 0 will take effect for most of Scotland around 19 July. The argument is that more time is required to get both doses into a larger proportion of the population, following data suggesting lower protection to the Delta variant after only one dose. However, it should be noted that level 0 doesn’t mean zero restrictions, quite the opposite. There will still be restrictions on gatherings, events etc. Next week though, we expect to hear more on what life will be like beyond level 0. In particular, the outcome of a review on the future of physical distancing is expected to be announced, having been delayed thus far. We will share more detail in the next update on that.

In the meantime, if you need to reach us on any of the issues above or anything else, please drop us a note via info@foodanddrink.scot

Thanks
James Withers

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

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

Food Standards Scotland has developed guidance by outlining ways that 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

Key issues update - Friday 4 June

New Covid restriction levels announced – a mixed bag

The First Minister announced changes to local Covid restrictions this week and they come into effect from midnight tonight (Friday 4 June). The headline is that Glasgow finally escapes Level 3 and will move to Level 2. However, the previous hope that almost all of mainland Scotland would move to Level 1 has not been borne out. Using the latest information on case-rates, test positivity and vaccination rates, alongside Glasgow, 13 other authorities will remain in Level 2. These are (by Health Board area): East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Dundee.

That leaves 15 mainland authorities that will move down to Level 1. This is due to lower relative and absolute numbers of cases, generally higher vaccination rates, low hospital occupancy and low mortality. These are: Highland, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Fife, West Lothian, East Lothian, Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway. The islands currently in Level 1 move to Level 0.

The detail of which level every area is in with link to the rules for each level is available here.

The Scottish Government is extending support to businesses kept in Level 2, including hospitality. The detail of that is here.

What happens beyond Level 0?

The next major changes on Covid restrictions are scheduled for 28 June. All being well, some of the mainland will move to Level 0 at this point. Level 0 is a somewhat confusing name as it might suggest zero restrictions when in fact the opposite is the case (there are still major limitations on indoor and outdoor meetings for example and events). We are still involved in weekly meetings with Scottish Government and the other main business organisations discussing the longer term outlook. A review is currently being done into the future of physical distancing once we get beyond Level 0. In addition, work is being done on the other issues like the phased return to non-essential offices. I’m expecting more insight on all of that in the next fortnight and will share the latest information via this update as soon as I can.

International travel restrictions – Portugal back off the green list

The concerns over the spread of the Delta variant (previously but no longer referred to as the Indian variant) has meant the removal of Portugal from the green list, less than three weeks after it was added. There has been an almost doubling in the Covid test positivity rates in Portugal since it went onto the green list. These changes come into force at 4am on Tuesday 8 June. Any travellers returning to Scotland from Portugal beyond that deadline will have to self-isolate at home for 10 days. There are no additions to the green list at this time. Several countries are to be added to the red list, namely Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

People are advised not to travel to amber or red countries other than for essential reasons. As a simplified reminder of the rules, travellers returning from red list countries have to enter managed isolation. Amber list returnees must self-isolate at home with two PCR tests on days 2 and 8. Travellers returning from green list countries are not required to isolate, but must take a PCR test on day 2. The latest update on the traffic light system and rules is here.

Have a good weekend all
James Withers