Question reference: S5W-35485
- Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 23 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 5 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what allowances can be made for garden centres and other horticultural businesses to prepare for sowing seasonal bedding plants now, in advance of being able to reopen to the public once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Answer
In order to reduce the opportunities for transmission of Covid-19, people should only be leaving their homes for an essential purpose which includes for essential shopping.
Garden centres are currently able to fulfil orders online, by telephone and through a permitted collection service.
I recently met with the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) to discuss the impacts restrictions are having on this area. The HTA has provided us with their safe operating protocol and have briefed us with valuable information which we are taking into consideration when making our decisions.
Scottish Government are hopeful that we will be able to see a phased but significant opening of our economy in April including the opening of non-essential retail.