Latest update during the COVID-19 health emergency #dundeewestend
Further update – for Tuesday 14th July – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)
FURTHER EASING OF RESTRICTIONS
Following the Scottish Government’s shift to Phase 3 – see also detail in the image below :
The 2-metre rule still applies except where specifically stated.
From now
Those shielding can end physical distancing with those they live with. https://www.gov.scot/news/next-steps-for-people-shielding/
Mandatory face coverings in shops and other retail. This guidance includes exemptions for people with breathing difficulties etc. Shop workers are also required to wear a face covering with some exemptions. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-retail-sector-guidance/pages/workforce-planning/#facecoverings
Outdoors – a household can meet up to 4 other households at a time – up to 15 people in total.
Indoors – a household can meet up to 2 other households at a time – up to 8 people in total. This includes overnight stays. A house can meet up to 4 other households per day in total.
The limit on the number of other households you can meet per day (indoors or outdoors) does not apply to young people who are under 18.
Children aged 11 or under no longer need to physically distance indoors.
Extended Households: All non-cohabiting partners (and any children under 18 in the household) can form extended households without physical distancing.
From yesterday – Monday 13th July
Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open.
Dental practices can do non-aerosol routine care. Urgent care centres will continue to provide aerosol generating procedures.
Organised outdoor contact sports and physical activity can resume for children and young people under 18.
Face-to-face youth work can resume outdoors.
From tomorrow – Wednesday 15th July
Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation.
Museums, galleries, monuments, libraries, various other visitor attractions, cinemas (including drive-ins and venues screening films).
Hairdressers and barbers can re-open.
All childcare providers can open. This guidance lifts the emergency limits on the number of children and households but maintains the restrictions on school pick up and drop offs (blended)
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childminder-services-guidance/pages/summary/ https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-childcare-closures-and-emergency-provision/
Indoor hospitality can reopen.
All holiday accommodation permitted.
20 people can now attend funerals, marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations, including those beyond the immediate family.
From Wednesday 22nd July
Universities and colleges.
Other personal retail services such as beauticians and tailors can re-open.
Motorcycle instruction and theory/hazard tests can resume. Tractor driver instruction can resume.
The following may resume after the 31st July
Non-essential offices and call centres. Working from home and working flexibly remain the default.
Some live events (outdoors and indoors).
Bingo halls.
Driving lessons.
Indoor gyms.
Resumption of non-professional adult outdoor contact sports.
This is the latest updated guidance on which businesses must remain closed as of today. You will see that the list of exemptions is growing longer.
CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES FURTHER SUPPORT – VAT AND JOBS
Kickstart Scheme – 6-month work placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit at risk of long-term unemployment. Funding available will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Youth Offer – More support for 18-24 in the Intensive Work Search group in Universal Credit.
Work and Health Programme – expand the scope to introduce additional voluntary support in the autumn for those on benefits that have been unemployed for more than 3 months.
Job finding support service – in the autumn introduce an online, one-to-one service will help those who have been unemployed for less than three months.
Eat Out to Help Out – every diner will be entitled to a 50% discount of up to £10 per head on their meal. It can be used an unlimited number of times and will be valid Monday to Wednesday on any eat-in meal including on non-alcoholic drinks for the entire month of August. Participating establishments will be fully reimbursed for the 50% discount.
Temporary VAT cut for food and non-alcoholic drinks – From 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021, the reduced (5%) rate of VAT will apply to supplies of food and non-alcoholic drinks from restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés and similar premises.
Temporary VAT cut for accommodation and attractions – From 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021 the reduced (5%) rate of VAT will apply to accommodation and admission to attractions.
CHILDCARE
For weeks Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has been making the case for a joined-up approach as thousands of parents are being asked to go back to work without the usual summer childcare. He is relieved that finally we have something that might work.
He has also been an advocate for good early learning and childcare and supports the expansion of the hours to 1140. Willie can’t understand why a three-month lockdown results in a twelve-month delay to the roll out. Families are banking on the expansion to enable them to get back to work, children have already missed out on education and nursery because of the lockdown and the inequality gap continues to grow.
The First Minister says she wants to support an economic recovery but there is no way to a strong recovery that does not include strong and growing childcare provision.
Watch the exchange:
MEDICAL CONDITIONS ADVICE
New advice for people with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, IBD; chronic kidney and liver disease; dermatological, neurological, (specific) ophthalmic, respiratory and rheumatic conditions, chronic pain, and rare diseases.
QUARANTINE RULES LIFTED
The requirement to quarantine for 14 days on arrival still applies to Spain and Serbia. This will be reviewed on July 20th when it is likely to be lifted. Even if you arrive into an airport in England you still need to quarantine when you arrive home. This link includes a list of countries for which you do not have to quarantine.
HOMEBUYERS HELP
The threshold at which Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is paid will be raised from £145,000 to £250,000 – excluding the Additional Dwelling Supplement. No date has been set for this change.
SCAMS
Trading Standards Scotland is part of COSLA. In the latest edition of its Scam Share bulletin, it outlines scams which have been reported by consumers across Scotland, including those related to the COVID-19 outbreak. There is some very useful information for local communities, covering issues such as phone, pension and holiday-related scams.
The bulletin can be viewed at https://mailchi.mp/86259372cd2e/scam-share
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
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only – 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list – 0800 111 4000
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 is 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
