CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 25TH JUNE 2021

Covid 19 Update

We have received contact from several members in the last few days regarding staff being advised to self-isolate after being in a social environment (pubs, restaurants, football related gatherings!) where someone has tested positive for covid-19. If that member of staff has then attended their workplace before being advised to isolate the tracers are then further advising the workplace colleagues to isolate.

Government advice is that we should all be carrying out 2 Lateral flow tests each per week.
This would allow you to be able to pick up any infection early but also to prove that a test was carried out that returned negative, therefore you may not have to isolate.
Of course, if the test is positive then a PCR test is required, and the individual will have to isolate until the outcome of that test.

Rapid test kits rolled out to pharmacies
Community pharmacies across Scotland are extending access to rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits for people without COVID-19 symptoms.

The expansion, which began on Wednesday 9th June, is aimed at encouraging further uptake of testing among people with no symptoms and finding cases which would otherwise go undetected.

It builds on current efforts in place to improve access to rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs) for people without COVID-19 symptoms, by making it easier for people without access to digital services.

Free packs are available to be collected from participating pharmacies, with each containing seven devices which can provide results in around 30 minutes.

People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter pharmacies to collect self-test kits or use a LFD and must instead self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test at NHS Inform.
People can find out which pharmacies are taking part by going to NHS inform, following a link and entering their postcode.
https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/findatestcenter.html

Anyone with symptoms, such as a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR (polymarese chain reaction) test.

Rapid LFD test kits, which can be used from home for people to test themselves twice-weekly, are already available for pick-up without an appointment from many local walk-in, or drive-through test sites, or by ordering online, or by phone.

It is important that you have proof that you took all reasonable steps and precautions. However, the test and trace set up is such that if they decide that your staff must isolate then there is nothing you can do but comply. Even if that means closing the business for a period!
It is vital that all staff are fully knowledgeable of all the mitigating protocols your business has in place for when they are questioned by test and trace as it is on the answers given that the tracer will make their decision.

We have raised the issues of what appears to be a sudden change in policy to blanket isolation advice for everyone who has been in the same place as a positive case, regardless of physical distancing.
The reason seems to be that the Delta variant is far more transmissible than anything so far!

We will update you immediately when we get further guidance.

The current Covid restriction levels will remain in place until 19 July.
Other changes announced by the first minister were:
• The plan is for all of Scotland to move to Level 0 on 19th July.
• That means, for example, that the limits for household gatherings indoors will increase and up to 200 people will be able to attend weddings and funerals.
• The general indoor physical distancing requirement could also be reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre from 19th July.
• Limits on informal outdoor social gatherings, in private gardens for example, could also be removed on 19th July.
• The hope is that the remaining legal restrictions will be lifted on 9th August.
• The first minister this signalled a “return to almost complete normality in our day to day lives”.
• The legal requirement to physically distance indoors as well as outdoors could be lifted on 9th August.
• The latest statistics show Scotland recorded four new coronavirus deaths and 2,167 new cases in the past 24 hours.
• The daily test positivity rate jumped to 9.1%, up from 7.2% the previous day.
• The 2,167 cases recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours marks the highest daily figure since 8th January.
• All nine JCVI priority groups in Scotland will have been fully vaccinated by this Sunday – this includes everyone over the age of 50 and represents 99% of all Covid-19 deaths during the pandemic.
• By 18th July, all adults will have had their first dose of a vaccine and second doses should be completed by 12th September.
• Some “minor” changes to Covid restrictions will be made next week – removing staff and suppliers of wedding services from the cap on numbers at services from Monday and allowing live entertainment at receptions and allowing people from more than one household to help carry a coffin at a funeral.

Scottish Craft Butchers Singles Golf Competition

Wednesday 4th August 2021
Organised by the Scottish Craft Butchers
Tee off times commence at 12.07pm.
Entry cost £74 including meals and prizes.
The competition is played over 18 holes as a full stableford
• Soup & two filled rolls on arrival.
• 1 Round Golf – First Tee off time 12:07
• Golfers Meal – Starter and main course.
• First 24 entries only accepted.
• Entry Fee £74.00 payable in advance.
• In the event of a tie inward half is compared first.
• Competitors will be notified of tee-off times in advance.
• Presentation of prizes will take place after the meal:
Singles Winner, Silent Pairs, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin.
• ENTRY FORM AVAILABLE FROM [email protected]
• Return by 18th July 2021 to: Bruce McCall, Scottish Craft Butchers, 8 Needless Road, Perth PH2 0JW
Lanark Golf Club, The Moor, Whitelees Road, Lanark, ML11 7RX
Tel: +44(0)1555 663219 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.lanarkgolfclub.co.uk

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