Latest update during the COVID-19 health emergency
VACCINATION RATES
We want to thank the great efforts of all the vaccination staff who have worked incredibly hard to get people vaccinated.
In Scotland 1 million people have been vaccinated and the gap is closing with the rest of the United Kingdom where governments organised a faster start to the programme.
As of Thursday evening, Scotland was still 47,814 behind where it would be if it had rolled out the vaccine at the same rate as England. As that gap was up at 200,000 at one point this is good progress by the vaccinators.
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/vaccinations
These are official figures Public Health Scotland published this week available at https://beta.isdscotland.org/media/7461/21-02-10-covid19-publication_report.pdf
VACCINE UPDATE
The revised timetable across Scotland is:
• Groups 1 and 2 – by now
• Groups, 3 and 4
• Group 5 – by end of February
• Groups 6 – 9 – by early May
Group 1 – Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
Group 2 – All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
Group 3 – All those 75 years of age and over
Group 4 – All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
Group 5 – All those 65 years of age and over.
Group 6 – All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. This also includes unpaid carers.
Group 7 – All those 60 years of age and over
Group 8 – All those 55 years of age and over
Group 9 – All those 50 years of age and over
Regarding rearranging or opting-out of your coronavirus vaccination appointment, further information is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/rearrange-or-opt-out-of-your-coronavirus-vaccination-appointment (and follow the advice for the NHS Tayside area).
LOCAL CASES
You can access local information on the spread of the virus in our area then choose “Dundee City” from the menu in local neighbourhoods.
QUARANTINE HOTELS
All arrivals to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must book and pay for managed isolation in quarantine hotels from 15th February.
Six hotels close to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports with a combined capacity of 1,300 rooms will be used to implement the quarantine at a cost of £1,750 per individual traveller. Final costs for those not travelling alone are currently being worked through, as well as the details for a Managed Isolation Welfare Fund which will be launched for those who cannot afford the charge.
All arrivals must quarantine for at least ten days and will be tested twice for the virus – once on day two and once on day eight after arrival.
Existing travel exemptions will be strengthened, including limiting overseas training for elite sportspeople to athletes and coaches preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics.
A small number of arrivals will not be required to isolate, such as those involved in essential supply chains for goods coming into Scotland.
Non-essential international travel is still not permitted.
BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEMES OPEN
The following funds are now open for application:
• Exclusive Use Grant
• Events Industry Support Fund 2
• Large Self-Catering Grant
• Bed and Breakfasts Paying Council Tax Grant
• Visitor Attractions Support Fund
• Seafood Disruption Support Scheme
• Coronavirus Resilience and Recovery Fund for Legal Aid
• Covid-19 Recovery Support for Scottish Recycling Businesses
• Hostel Covid-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund
• Community and Third Sector Recovery Programme
• Seafood Producers Resilience Fund
• Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance
• Coronavirus Scottish Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Fund
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/browse-support#!Products=/last-modified/show+25/page+1
FREELANCERS AND EVENTS SUPPORT
A further £17.5 million of emergency funding has been allocated to support creative freelancers and the events sector. £8.5 million will go towards the events sector – distributed through the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund and the Events Industry Support Fund 2 as well as targeted support. The remaining £9 million will be distributed as a top-up to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund. https://www.gov.scot/news/support-for-freelancers-and-the-events-sector/
SUPPORT FOR CHILDMINDERS
Grants of £750 are being paid to all registered childminders.
https://www.gov.scot/news/increased-support-for-childminders/
PHONE APP
If you are told to self-isolate through the Protect Scotland phone app you can download a certificate on your phone. That certificate can then be used as proof when you are claiming self-isolation support, or when you are contacting your employer.
Also, the app uses an exposure notification system, which didn’t work on some older phones. But Apple has now made changes which mean that if you have an iPhone 5S or an iPhone 6, the app will now work.
BIN AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS
The snow has meant the City Council has been unable to empty bins for part of last this week.
Advice regarding this is available at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/recycle-for-dundee
REVISED VITAMIN D GUIDANCE
https://www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups/
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS
If you have symptoms of the virus check out this link.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides/self-help-guide-coronavirus-covid-19
POLICE CONTACT FORM
https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/covid19/
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Inform – https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816
Health Protection Scotland Guidance – www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660
Ready Scotland Information – www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares – www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This has been an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend