CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 10TH AUGUST 2020

Use of face coverings in Butchers shops

The First Minister announced on Friday 7th August that “I can confirm today that we are updating our guidance on face visors. Based on the latest scientific evidence, we are not convinced that a face visor on its own provides sufficient protection – to the wearer or to others. So again from tomorrow, if a visor is worn it must be accompanied by another type of face covering.” There has been some confusion as to the impact this will have on staff in butchers' shops who wear visors. The health protection regulations can be found in full below.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020
Legislation Link

The “indoor public places” in the Regulations include “any building, room or other premises used for the retail sale or hire of goods or service”, So the rule about requiring a face covering (other than a visor) would certainly apply to staff working in the public-facing parts of their premises.

However, the Food Standards Scotland guidance gives a bit more clarity on this where it states.
Physical distancing and hygiene remain the most important controls for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings should only be considered as an additional risk mitigation measure when physical distancing presents a challenge. In these cases, FBOs should consider whether it is appropriate for their staff to wear face coverings, taking account of the health and safety of the wearer and the safety and integrity of the food produced
COVID-19_-_FSS_Guidelines_for_Food_Business_Operators_and_their_Employees.pdf
The regulations also state that where other preventative measures are in place then the use of face coverings by staff is not required: –
It does not apply to the wearing of a face covering by an employee of that person or a volunteer at the place, where””
(i) there is a partition between the person, employee or volunteer and members of the public, or
(ii) a distance of at least two metres is maintained between the person, employee or volunteer and members of the public,
This is still a rapidly changing situation and there may be further developments. We will ensure you get the up to date information as soon as we get it.
However, it appears that if you have the mitigation factors mentioned in points (i) and (ii) above then you can continue to operate as you have been.

Scottish schools to fully reopen from 11th August

Scotland's schools have been given the go-ahead to reopen from 11 August by the first minister.
Guidance issued to councils said children should “return to school as quickly and as safely as possible”.
Nicola Sturgeon said she expected all pupils to be back in class full time from 18 August “at the very latest”.
The first minister also announced an end to shielding, but said “minimal” other changes would be made.
She said Scotland could remain in “phase three” of the government's route map out of lockdown for some time to come.

The Scottish Craft Butchers office in Perth is now closed following government guidelines.
We will be available to our members to answer any queries via email or by mobile phone and will be available out of office hours for any members wanting to contact us.

Our contact details are below
Gordon King: – [email protected] 07917524313
Bruce McCall: [email protected] 07834490922