Question reference: S5W-31415
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 25 August 2020
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 September 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the scientific evidence that restricts distancing in bingo halls to two metres but to one metre in public houses and restaurants.
Answer
Scottish Government advice is to stay two metres away from other people. On 9 July the First Minister advised Parliament that in a limited number of sectors, we will allow an exception to be made to the requirement for two metre physical distancing. However that will be subject to strict conditions that are tailored to the circumstances of each sector. With every restriction that we lift, the risk increases, especially as we start to permit more indoor activity.
There is a process in place to consider any requests for an exemption to be made, with an assessment against the four harms including, broader health, economic and social effects. Officials have discussed this process with the Bingo Association. Exemptions are considered by the First Minister who also considers the need to manage the risk of cumulative exceptions eroding the general requirement of two metres, with a consequential increased risk of transmission more generally.