I was interviewed on the BBC’s Politics Live programme this afternoon, discussing a number of topics including the potential requirement for all visitors to Scotland to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. Subsequent to this interview the Scottish Government has announced that visitors will indeed have to quarantine. You can find more information on this new aspect of our efforts… Read more »
From Tuesday 5 January East Lothian, along with the rest of mainland Scotland will move from Level 4 to a temporary Lockdown. Similar to the restrictions put in place back in March 2020 this means that you should stay at home where possible. There are exceptions for a variety of activities, however these situations will only arise for essential activities…. Read more »
Today the First Minister announced that East Lothian will move into Tier 3 on Friday 18 December from 6pm. This is disappointing and a hammer blow for many businesses. But public health has to be the priority. We need to redouble our efforts to suppress the virus as Christmas relaxations could compound it. Further financial support is needed along with… Read more »
The Scottish Government has today announced that as of 24 November East Lothian will move to level 2 of the COVID-19 Local protection levels. It’s welcome news that we in East Lothian are moving down to Level 2. This is largely down to the commitment and caution of the people of East Lothian. I want to once again give my… Read more »
The Scottish Government announced this morning that East Lothian would be placed in Tier 3 of the new tiered Coronavirus response strategy. As I said in the East Lothian Courier this morning, I had hoped that East Lothian would be put into Tier 2: “As soon as you move to local authority areas as the basis for a decision then… Read more »
Our European friends have seen the potential danger of forcing people back into work over the winter months, as well as the huge economic downside of pushing more and more people into unemployment and have very sensibly decided to extend the furlough scheme. We in Scotland do not have the economic powers necessary to implement our own furlough scheme so… Read more »
Scotland’s Test & Protect App is now available to download for your smartphone. You can download the app from the Protect.Scot website here. The Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. The app will alert you… Read more »
The Scottish Government today published it’s most recent set of guidance on the route map through and out of the pandemic. You can find the detail of the information at the Scottish Government website here. It gives information on the recent changes, which include the following: From Monday 24 August: Organised outdoor contact sports for all ages can resume Driving… Read more »
Responding to today’s speech from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, I pointed out that “the least well off have suffered disproportionately with the health effects of this virus… they must not pay the price of the economic consequences.” I asked the Chancellor to “assure that the cost of these measures will not be borne by the poor and low paid, instead… Read more »
The Scottish Government announced today that from July 10 face coverings will be mandatory when shopping. Also announced were exceptions to the 2m distancing rule, as well as new guidance for children playing outdoors. Regarding face coverings, the Government said: “Following the successful introduction of mandatory face coverings on public transport, the measure will be extended to include retail settings… Read more »