Covid Briefing: Wednesday 22 December 2021

New guidance for shops, hospitality and other businesses

The Scottish government published yesterday new guidance for shops, hospitality venues and other businesses. Whilst most of the guidance is advice only, there are some details which have legal restrictions.

This new guidance comes into force at 00:01 on Friday 24 December 2021.

Key changes to guidance for retail, shops and shopping centres include:

  • Managing the inflow/outflow of premises through one-way systems and/or traffic lights systems
  • Wherever possible, put in place separate entrance and exits
  • Use public address systems, signs, floor markings and queue management systems to help people keep a safe distance from others
  • Using screens to create a physical barrier between people at till points and self-service checkouts.
  • Queuing inside premises "should be avoided where possible". Where it is not possible, numbering systems or queue marshals should be used.

Key changes to guidance for pubs and restaurants include:

  • Asking each premises to determine what is practical and operationally possible for their own establishment.
  • Premises should consider voluntary limits on maximum capacity where appropriate.
  • Premises should also consider the use of apps for ordering and electronic ticketing.
  • Consider the use of screens between tables and at service points.
  • Table service will become mandatory from 27 December 2021.
  • Scottish Government advice is for people to minimise attending indoor hospitality or leisure venues, and if they do, there should be no more than three households represented in any group.

     

One metre physical distancing between all adults in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings will come in to force from 05.00 on 27 December 2021. These settings include:

  • Pubs bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consuming on-site.
  • Leisure settings include gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo, snooker halls and bowling alleys.
  • It also includes museums, galleries and other visitor attractions.

 

Attendance at large events will be limited from 05:00 on 26 December 2021. Guidance here states:

  • Attendance limited to 100 people for indoor standing events
  • Attendance limited to 200 for indoor seated events
  • Attendance limited to 500 people for all outdoor events seated or standing

     

Places of worship and public transport do not require physical distancing, however, existing mitigations for these settings will continue to apply.

Major life events such as weddings and funerals are being allowed to carry on without additional restrictions.

Scottish Government has advised that the mandatory protective measures will be reviewed on a three-weekly basis, starting on Tuesday 11 January 2022.

Details of all Coronavirus (covid-19) Guidance is available at: https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/

 

Update: Business support Covid-19 funding

The Scottish Government has provided an update to the funding package which will be made available to business sectors affected by the most recent protective measures.

The business support package includes £100 million announced by the Scottish Government on 20 December and £175 million by the Treasury.

Details of allocation of funding will be issued as soon as possible.

 

Reminder: Drop-in vaccination centres before Christmas

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde drop in vaccination centres running this week can be attended without an appointment:

 

Wednesday 22 December 2021

Barmulloch Community Centre - Open 9.30am until 5.30pm

Hampden Stadium - Open 7.00pm until 9.00pm

Thursday 23 December 2021

Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley - Open 7.00pm until 9.00pm

Port Glasgow Town Hall - Open 9.30am until 5.30pm

Hampden Stadium - Open 7.00pm until 9.00pm

 

Please note - appointment-only vaccinations will be available:

Friday 24 December 2021 - Port Glasgow Town Hall – Opens 8.30am until 12.30pm

Monday 27 December 2021 - Greenock Town Hall – Open 10am until 2pm

Wednesday 29 December 2021 - Port Glasgow Town Hall – Open 8.30am until 7.30pm

Thursday 30th December 2021 - Greenock Town Hall – Open 8.30am until 7.30pm

Thursday 30th December 2021 - Port Glasgow – Open 8.30am until 7.30pm

 

Covid Vaccine Centre Updates: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-issues/covid-19-coronavirus/for-patients-the-public/covid-vaccinations/drop-in-vaccinations/

Booster vaccination bookings: https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/the-vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccination/

 

Reminder: Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing

Regularly taking LFD tests before going out, going to work or meeting with others is important to minimise the spread of Covid 19. If your LFD test comes back positive, you must immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test. A positive LFD test means there is a strong likelihood you have Covid-19 and are infectious. You should not go out to work or shopping and your family should also self-isolate with you.

Lateral flow devices are available online for home delivery and are available from community pharmacies and local testing sites.

A limited supply lateral flow device test kits are available to pick up at:

  • Holy Family Church, Port Glasgow
  • New Parish Church, Port Glasgow
  • Lyle Kirk, Greenock
  • St Partricks Church, Greenock
  • St Mary’s Church, Greenock
  • St Joseph’s church, Greenock
  • West Kirk, Greenock
  • Tesco, Greenock
  • St John’s Church, Gourock
  • Cardwell Garden Centre, Gourock

It is important if you take a lateral flow device test that you record the information with the NHS (the pack shows you how to do this). This helps them to track to rate of infection across the country.

Check your symptoms: https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides/self-help-guide-coronavirus-covid-19/

Coronavirus testing: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-testing

 

Reminder: Covid helpline available

Inverclyde residents continue to be supported by the Council’s Covid-19 Helpline. Assistance can be provided on a wide range of support including food and fuel provision, financial advice and wellbeing. The helpline is available Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm over the festive period. Call 01475 715275 to speak to an advisor.

 

Council festive opening hours

The Municipal Buildings and all Council Offices will close at 4pm on Friday 24 December 2021 for business purposes and will re-open on 5 January 2022 at 8.45am. The Customer Service Centre telephone lines will close to the public at 3.30pm on 24 December 2021.

The Scottish Welfare Fund service (crisis grants and community care grants) will be closed on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December 2021 and also Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 January 2022. The Service is available between the 29 and 31 December 2021. The contact telephone number to be used for applications is 01475 714444 and will be available between 9am and 3pm.