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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 8th May 2020
Lockdown extended in Scotland
As expected, lockdown restrictions in Scotland have been extended. This was confirmed by the First Minister at lunchtime yesterday. The working assumption is that it is a three week extension of lockdown (to 28 May) however it was repeated that the Scottish Government could introduce relaxations at any time before the next fixed, three-weekly review.
The only relaxation on the cards is to the rules around households being able to take more regular outdoor exercise. As explained in Tuesday's update, the R number remains too close to 1 to provide any room of significant relaxation. The Prime Minister will be announcing the intentions for England later. Despite widespread media coverage of imminent relaxations, it is high likely the decisions will be the same as we've seen in Scotland.
Future of furlough
Discussions continue around the need for a form of furlough beyond the end of June. As perhaps the most valuable support measure introduced, our view is that it will need to modify gradually in the same way as lockdown restrictions will unwind gradually. Last night, Scottish Government Ministers wrote to the Chancellor urging the continuation of furlough support including emphasising, as we have done, the benefit of a part-time furlough approach in the future.
There is a particular Scottish angle that will need to be considered. It has been made clear that Scotland may take a slightly different (slower) path to unwinding restrictions, if the science suggests it is wise. Bear in mind that there is some evidence that the R rate is a little higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, possibly because we have been a little behind on the disease curve. Clearly, in a scenario where the current public health measures carry well-recognised and significant business and economic costs, calls for a Scottish-specific approach to furlough will grow if Scotland takes a more cautious approach to easing restrictions.
Other support mechanisms, such as a holiday in employers' national insurance contribution, remain options.
The Bare Bones Live presented by MRC.
The webinar on how butchers are responding to the challenges of Covid-19 is now available to listen to in full on the MRC Facebook page. Topics include,
Managing and Maximising new opportunities
How to evolve during these challenging times
Adapting to the digital age
Protecting your staff and customers
What's next? Looking beyond Covid-19
Keep people shopping local.
For those with Facebook access, you can listen here:-
Corporate Members Support
Our corporate members are on hand to help our members in any way they can.
We greatly appreciate their support for the work we carry out at Scottish Craft Butchers.
Please find attached the list of our current corporate members with contact details.
If we can be of any help with this, please get in touch with Bruce or Gordon on the details below
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
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