Chamber and committees

We know that these indoor activities are of huge value to children, young people and families across Scotland. On 20 August the First Minister announced that indoor activities for children and young people (unregulated), including faith related education, such as those Sunday Schools and Madrassas, could resume from Monday 31 August. On 01 September 2020, the Scottish Government published the ‘organised activities for children’ guidance.

In certain circumstances, educational activities may also fall under the places of worship guidance. This would be the case where, at some point during the main act of congregational worship, there is separate, age-appropriate activity for the children that takes place in a separate location. This would therefore still be subject to the maximum capacity of 50 – including the children – and the 2m physical distancing and hygiene safeguards as set out in the safe use of places of worship guidance . It is up to the individual place of worship to decide what is, and what is not, education or childcare that is separate to the act of worship.

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.

My officials continue to work closely with our faith and belief stakeholders to ensure that community concerns and needs inform our ongoing decision making.