Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government will aim to publish guidance for the soft play industry in advance of the indicative date for reopening of 14 September. We will involve the soft play industry and relevant stakeholders in developing this guidance.

Guidance has been updated for the tourism and hospitality sector which sets out how premises covered by regulations can keep a record of customer and visitor contact details safely and securely, ensuring data protection principles are upheld. That guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tourism-and-hospitality-sector-guidance/pages/collecting-customer-contact-details/

The section entitled ‘How to collect data’ outlines steps to take to utilise existing booking systems, implement digital solutions, or keep a paper record of visitor contact details.

In addition, the Scottish Government has published a template privacy notice alongside this guidance, setting out the terms of how data should be gathered, stored, used and disposed of. The privacy notice can be viewed online, downloaded and made available in each establishment.

Scottish Government guidance for the safe re-opening of performing arts was published on 21 August and is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance
-for-the-performing-arts-and-venues-sector/pages/overview/.

Non-professional singers should only sing in groups outdoors, not indoors. Outdoor activities, including rehearsals and seated live events, have been allowed to re-commence from 24 August in accordance with physical distancing and hygiene guidance for events – available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-events-sector-guidance/ .

The remaining restrictions on groups’ indoor singing will be kept under review as the scientific evidence about the risks of virus transmission from singing is developed.

If local restrictions are required in response to an outbreak of COVID-19 these will be implemented with regard to the nature and extent of the public health risk. The circumstances for each outbreak will be different and the response will be tailored accordingly.

Scottish Government recognises the impact these measures can have on communities and every decision is taken carefully with due consideration of the four harms set out in our COVID-19: Framework for Decision Making.

The recent local restrictions in Aberdeen allowed extended household arrangements to continue, individuals were also allowed to meet friends and family outdoors providing guidance on travel and physical distancing was followed.

The First Minister announced that driving lessons would resume on 24 August. Driving tests are the responsibility of the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency. We understand that car driving tests will resume in mid-September, with priority given to those who have had tests cancelled.

From 24 August 2020, organised full contact outdoor sport for all ages was permitted in Scotland.

We have discussed the resumption of this activity with the Scottish FA and the SPFL on a number of occasions.

This will – subject to Scottish FA guidance – allow teams at all levels to train and play. However, SPFL Premiership clubs – and some English clubs – have already been undertaking activity as they were subject to additional public health measures. We have no role in where any of these clubs choose to train.

Coach operators have been able to apply for financial assistance from a range of schemes including the 100% Retail Hospitality and Leisure rates relief & RHL grant support, and the small Business Grant Fund. Non-domestic rates relief also applies to eligible properties and a small number of coach companies have accessed funds from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund. We are aware of the challenges facing the coach sector and continue to engage with them to address their needs (most recently on 20 August). We are working closely with colleagues in the UK Government to secure additional support.

From the outset, we have adopted a public health focused approach to these border health measures. The data and evidence we receive to inform our decisions on these measures comes from the Public Health England and the Joint Biomedical Centre (JBC) via the UK Government. As this data is owned by the UK Government, we are not able to publish the analysis on specific countries and why countries are or are not the exemptions list. I have written to the UK Government asking them to make the data publicly available.

Whilst we formally review these measures on a 21 day basis in Scotland, and our next review point is Monday 31 August, we are continuously keeping countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries to the exemption list. You will be aware that this happened in the case of Estonia, who were added to our list of exempt countries on Tuesday 28 July. Likewise, if the evidence suggests an exempt country may provide an increased risk, we will not hesitate to reinstate quarantine arrangements.

There is further guidance on the border health measures here; https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/overview/ .

The use of changing rooms and showering facilities should be avoided where possible, although from the 31 August 2020 they may be made available for participants with disabilities or special needs or where required after an activity such as swimming.

Sports facility operators may open toilets for public use if they follow the guidelines outlined on the Scottish Government website Opening Public Toilets Guidelines .

For detailed facility guidance including a checklist that covers use of changing rooms, showers and toilets visit Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities .

Between September 2019 and January 2020, the Scottish Government held a consultation on steps to improve the operational effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. This consultation asked for views on a range of measures designed to help local authorities and Police Scotland with their enforcement responsibilities in respect of out of control dogs. An analysis of the consultation responses was published in June 2020. Details can be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/criminal-law/effectiveness-control-of-dogs-scotland-act-2010/

Later this year the Scottish Government will publish a further review of dog control legislation with a particular focus on the operation of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. This will include discussion of the offence of a dog being dangerously out of control contained with the 1991 Act.

The Scottish Government will consider the responses received to both consultation exercises in determining next steps.