Chamber and committees

We recognise the benefits that all sport and physical activity brings to physical and mental health as well as the key role sports clubs play in local communities.

From 2 November 2020, a strategic approach to outbreak management based on five levels of protection is due to be introduced as set out in the strategic framework document. There will be the opportunity for further consideration of the strategic framework by parliament at the debate on 27 October 2020.

Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed.

This assessment process includes oversight of the assessed health risks in different settings by the Chief Medical Officer and input from the other Chief Clinicians as appropriate. We have used scientific evidence on transmission coupled with the social and economic benefits which Ministers have used to make decisions. There are a number of relevant factors that would have been considered:

• Duration of contact.
• Ability to maintain distancing.
• Challenge of cleaning surfaces, spaces between and around users.
• Aerosol transmission risk since such activities could give rise to heavier breathing, panting, shouting etc which would all increase the chance of transmission particularly as masks cannot be worn.

The Scottish Government is currently preparing to publish this information in due course.

We will keep the detail of the levels under ongoing review as the pandemic develops.