CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 13TH APRIL 2021

Travel ban to be lifted from Friday

The Covid-19 restriction on travelling around Scotland is to be lifted from Friday, while people are to be allowed to meet up in larger groups outdoors.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said measures were being eased earlier than planned to help people's mental health.

People will be allowed to meet in groups of up to six adults from six households in outdoor settings.

And they will be permitted to travel across Scotland to do so, as long as they do not stay overnight.

Other restrictions are expected to be eased from 26 April – with shops, pubs and restaurants likely to reopen on a restricted basis.

Restrictions on travel from Scotland to other parts of the UK are also expected to be lifted from 26 April.

People should be able to meet indoors again in small groups from the middle of May.
The first minister said today that this meant she could confirm a “very significant re-opening of the economy” from 26 April, when the whole of Scotland will move into level three of the Covid-19 restrictions system.

It means shops will fully reopen and hospitality businesses will be allowed to operate fully outdoors, and on a restricted basis indoors.

Scotland's island communities – which have been in level three for some time – will stay in the same level as the mainland in the immediacy, to allow people to travel between areas.
It is expected the whole of Scotland to then move to level two on 17 May – allowing people to meet up indoors – and to level one and then zero in June.

And she said some changes to the travel restrictions that had not been due to come into force until 26 April would be made earlier than originally planned in an effort to boost people's mental health and wellbeing.

Reformulation Opportunity in partnership with FDF Scotland and Foodmakers:

Food and Drink Federation Scotland are working in conjunction with Foodmakers, part of Scobie and Junor, in order to develop a range of healthier seasoning blends for Scottish favourites including sausage rolls, scotch pies, lorne sausage, haggis and black pudding.

Why not get involved in this opportunity to trial free samples of the seasoning blends and feed the growing consumer appetite for healthier options.

If you are interested please get in contact by emailing: [email protected] to discuss this opportunity further.

Meat Managers Hygiene and HACCP Course
It is a legal requirement to make sure that our businesses have an operational and auditable food safety management system in place.
We have traditionally held our Meat Managers Hygiene and HACCP courses in one location on one day. These have been held throughout the country and have proven very popular and useful in the development of individuals within the business who are required to take responsibility for the implementation of the HACCP system.
The courses have been delivered by Verner Wheelock.
Paul Bache has presented these courses for many years on behalf of Scottish Craft Butchers and the certificates issued are recognised by the local authority environmental health officers.
Due to the current restrictions, we cannot hold face to face courses.
Therefore, we have decided to offer the course online during video meetings in April and May
The dates we have arranged for the course are:-

Each delegate must complete all 3×3 hour sessions. There is a maximum of 7 delegates per course. The cost is £250 per delegate.

COURSE 1- 19/20/21st April 2021 3pm to 6pm each day. (3 x 3hour sessions) FULL UP!!
COURSE 2- 26/27/28th April 2021 3pm to 6pm each day. ” ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT!
COURSE 3- 10/11/12th May 2021 3pm to 6pm each day. ” ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT!

The format will be 3 x afternoons (3 hours each session) on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a maximum of 7 places. Each candidate will have to attend all 3 sessions!
If you would like to find out more or register yourself or someone in your business on the course, please contact Claire on 01738 637785 or e-mail [email protected]

New National Minimum Wage Rates.

Rates from 1 April 2021
These rates are for the National Living Wage (for those aged 23 and over) and the National Minimum Wage (for those of at least school leaving age) from 1 April 2021.
23 and over 21 to 22 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice
April 2021 (new rate) £8.91 £8.36 £6.56 £4.62 £4.30
Previous rates
The following rates were for the National Living Wage (for those aged 25 and over) and the National Minimum Wage (for those of at least school leaving age) from April 2016.
25 and over 21 to 24 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice
April 2019 to March 2020 £8.21 £7.70 £6.15 £4.35 £3.90

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