CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 14TH MAY 2021

Covid 19 update.

A decision will be taken by Scottish Government today on whether Glasgow and Moray can follow the rest of mainland Scotland in moving down to Level 2 from Monday. The signs are that the Moray situation is starting to improve. In Glasgow, around 10 different neighbourhoods are showing case rates that are well within the range of Level 3. However, it may well be that more targeted measures in these areas will be strengthened, rather than using the blunt instrument of keeping the whole Glasgow council area in Level 3. However, an announcement later will confirm one way or the other.
New Level 2 rules for mainland, Level 1 for the islands
Notwithstanding decisions due on Glasgow and Moray, the rest of mainland Scotland will move to Level 2 rules from Monday (17 May). Here is a quick reminder of the main Level 2 rules:
• six people from three households will be able to meet in each other's homes or gardens without physical distancing (this was the limit previously planned for Level 1 but has now been accelerated for areas in Level 2)
• six people from three households can meet indoors in hospitality and eight people from eight households will be able to meet outdoors
• pubs and restaurants can serve alcohol indoors until 10:30pm, in two-hour booked slots
• cinemas, theatres, concert halls, music venues, comedy clubs, amusement arcades, casinos, snooker halls and bingo halls are able to reopen subject to distancing rules
• events will resume with a maximum capacity of 100 people indoors, 250 outdoors where there is unrestricted standing and 500 for events with seating. Organisers will be allowed to apply to hold bigger events
The full set of rules under Level 2 is set out here.
Most islands will move to Level 1 from Monday. That includes Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and the following islands within Argyll and Bute – Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva.
The full detail of what can and can't be done in Level 1 is here.
Hospitality rules – where to go for guidance
The main rules on physical distancing are the same as they were when restrictions were eased last summer. The most useful source of guidance is probably this Q&A section of the Scottish Government website that covers all the main issues. You can find it here.
First significant easing of international travel
From Monday (17 May), new rules on international travel will begin with the traffic light system coming into force under a new framework. Countries are split between green, amber and red lists. The rules for each are as follows:
• red list: arrivals must enter a managed isolation hotel and stay there for 10 days (at their own cost). Travel to such countries should only be for essential reasons.
• amber list (the majority of countries): arrivals should self-isolate at home (or if a visitor from another country, their accommodation on arrival) for 10 days, and take two PCR tests while they are isolating.
• green list: no requirement to quarantine or isolate on arrival in Scotland, but arrivals will need to take a PCR test shortly after arrival.
The green list will initially be the same as that in place for England but will be subject to review based on Scotland's specific needs.
The full list of red, amber and green countries is available here

From 7 June

· Indoor socialising in private homes, including overnight stays, for up to six adults from three households
· Indoor socialising in public places, such as a cafe or restaurant, for up to eight adults from three households

· Outdoor socialising in gardens or public places for up to 12 adults from 12 households
· Travel into England, Wales and Northern Ireland permitted again
· Weddings and funerals can have up to 100 guests
· All shops and businesses can re-open, apart from nightclubs and adult entertainment
· Stadium events can resume, although with limits of maximum crowd sizes

Late June:

· Move into Level 0, where almost all restrictions lifted
· Indoor socialising in homes, including overnight stays, of up to eight adults from four households
· Indoor socialising in public places, such as a cafe or restaurant, for up to 10 adults from four households
· Outdoor socialising in public or gardens for up to 15 adults from 15 households
· Up to 200 guests allowed at weddings and funerals
· A beginning of a phased return to offices for work, although working from home still encouraged
· All shops and businesses open, except nightclubs and adult entertainment

Facemasks in Customer Facing roles

Following a few calls from members about staff wearing face coverings we have asked Food Standards Scotland for clarity. FSS confirmed the guidance has not changed since it was last updated on the 26th April 2021.

We are aware however that an update to the guidance is expected in the week or so and we will advise once we have sight of this.

At the moment any staff in a retail setting serving customers, even if this is from behind the service counter must wear a face covering (a mask is NOT stipulated but in reality, this is most commonly used).

Staff working in production areas don't necessarily have to wear a face covering it depends on the business risk assessment for example there may be risks to food or health and safety that will have a bearing on whether this is desirable.

In instances where a face covering isn't used in production areas then other mitigation measures should be utilised i.e. physical distancing.

Apprentice Employment Grants
The above scheme has now closed, and we have completed the process of issuing the payments to employers.

As this scheme incurred substantial extra costs to Craft Skills Scotland through staff time, travel and processing of the applications during the sign-up process, employers were asked to contribute £500 towards the apprenticeship. This is a non-refundable contribution.

If a trainee on this scheme leaves your employment before completion of the apprenticeship, then Skills Development Scotland will require you to repay the FULL AMOUNT of the original grant. Skills Development Scotland will invoice you directly.

We recommend that you ensure the trainee completes the course!

Butchers Battles, Apprentices Clash Videos and Step by Step Guides

All the entries for the above competition are now uploaded on to the Scottish Craft Butchers members website.
https://sfmta.co.uk/members/story.php?t=Butcher_Battles_(Trainee_Edition)&ID=4613

You will need to sign into the members website to view the videos and step by step guides.

Our thanks go out, once again, to all the entrants for their efforts. Well Done!.

Update to e-mail contact details

As we have now completed the process of changing the name of the organisation to “Scottish Craft Butchers” we have also taken to opportunity to change our e-mail addresses to reflect this.
Please note the new e-mail contact details for Gordon and Bruce below.
Our mobile numbers remain the same.

Gordon King: [email protected] 07917524313
Bruce McCall: [email protected] 07834490922

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.