Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33765 on 17 December 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

All Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance is published on the website, at: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ .

As noted on the website, travel restrictions will be relaxed from 23 – 27 December (inclusive) to allow people to travel between local authority areas and the four nations of the UK to join their Christmas bubble.

Guidance for international travel remains unchanged during the festive period: if you are in a tier 3 or 4 local authority area you are not allowed to travel outside of your local area without a reasonable excuse; if you are in tier 0, 1 or 2 you are strongly advised against international travel.

Day carers who support foster carers and families will not be eligible for the £500 one-off "thank you" bonus. Further detail on the pro rata £500 bonus scheme, which will be funded from the Scottish Government's COVID-19 support package, is available at https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-500-bonus-for-health-and-social-care-staff/ .

There is no data as yet on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, either from human or animal studies. Given the lack of evidence, the JCVI favours a precautionary approach, and does not currently advise COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.

At present there are no plans to include chiropractors in the first wave of the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery.

The Scottish Government are following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age and that the risk increases exponentially with age. Additionally the committee considers frontline health and social care workers who provide direct care to vulnerable people a high priority for vaccination.

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations have identified the groups to be prioritised within the first phase of vaccinations, including everyone over 50, and people under 50 with particular conditions. This approach is designed to address approximately 99% of the vaccine-preventable mortality from Covid-19. Their recommendation states that vaccinations should be prioritised in this order:

1) Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers

2) All those 80 years of age and over, frontline health and social care workers

3) All those 75 years of age and over

4) All those 70 years of age and over, clinically extremely vulnerable individuals

5) All those 65 years of age and over

6) All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality – unpaid carers are included within this group

7) All those 60 years of age and over

8) All those 55 years of age and over

9) All those 50 years of age and over

We will work with health boards, local authorities and carers’ organisations to ensure that all eligible unpaid carers receive the information they need to come forward for vaccination and are actively considering what other communication awareness can be used.

I announced on 29 October 2020 in S5W-32889 that, with effect from the next meeting of the Covid-19 Advisory Group, the minutes of the meetings would be expanded to provide more detail than the previous summary format. The minutes of the first meeting of the Advisory Group following the announcement on 2 November are published on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-covid-19
-advisory-group-minutes-2-november-2020/

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Current restrictions allow a maximum number of 50 people to attend a place of worship within local authorities having protection levels 0 – 3 and no more than 20 people in level 4. These capacity numbers are inclusive of all children under the age of 12.

The inclusion of children under 12 in the caps detailed above is currently under review, and any decision to revise this position will be informed by public health and clinical advice. However we are mindful that the general direction of travel at this time is to focus on suppression of the virus and will take a cautious and safe approach.

The collection of a puppy or kitten from a breeder is subject to the advice and rules on travel at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport/ . The guidance states that travel for essential animal welfare reasons is permitted.

Collection of a puppy or kitten is therefore permitted if it is essential for the animal’s welfare that they be moved from the breeder’s premises.

The Scottish Government is currently not proposing to change arrangements for extended households, due to the ongoing prevalence of the Covid-19 virus. Currently, you can form an extended household, with one other household, if one of the adults lives alone, lives alone with children under 18 years old, or you are a couple who don't live together. In addition, all families, including those with children under one, who are in Covid-19 protection level 1, 2 or 3 are still able to access informal childcare if necessary, for example to allow parents to work, or attend medical appointments. Families should only use informal childcare in level 4 if it is essential. Further guidance on this is on the Parent Club website.

We recognise that this remains a very challenging time for many families including those with very young children. Support continues to be available from a wide range or sources, including those listed in the new national Family Support Directory available on Parent Club that provides access to further sources of information and direct support on a broad range of issues such as support on childcare, mental health and wellbeing and family relationships. In recognising the particular needs of babies and young children, the guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): organised activities for children was updated on 24 November and sets out the maximum number of adults who can attend indoor parent/baby or toddler groups (under 5s) and associated organised activities at any one time, to provide more flexibility in this age group.

The health visiting service remains a particularly key source of support for families with young children; it remains available to support all families with preschool children by providing information, advice and help to access other services and supports. In keeping with the latest route map advice and in line with the Universal Health Visiting Pathway, where a home visit is not suitable, contacts over the phone or using video through services like Near Me or Attend Anywhere might be offered. The health visitor can be contacted directly by parents with any concerns about child’s development or wider wellbeing.