This report sets out the Covid-19 Committee's consideration of a Scottish Statutory Instrument ('SSI') at its meeting on 23December 2020. The minutes of the meeting have been published on the Committee's webpages. The Official Report of the meeting will be published by 6pm on 23 December 2020 on the Committee's webpages.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/452) were laid on 21 December. The instrument was made in exercise of the power conferred by paragraph 1(1) of schedule 19 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (“the Act”). The instrument is subject to made affirmative procedure by virtue of paragraph 6(3) of schedule 19 of the Act.

The policy note states that—

“These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to make adjustments to the provisions on festive gatherings and levels to which local authorities are allocated.

These Regulations limit the exemptions which allow festive gatherings to apply to the 25th of December, and removes the ability to form a festive gathering in other parts of the UK and Common Travel Area (CTA).”

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform ('DPLR') Committee considered SSI 2020/452 at its meeting on 22 December 2020 and had no points to raise.

At the Covid-19 Committee's meeting on 23 December 2020, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell MSP, moved Motion S5M-23775 in his name— That the COVID-19 Committee recommends that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 8) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/452) be approved.

The motion was agreed to.