CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 9TH JULY 2021

Covid update.

A statement to MSPs is due on Tuesday 14th July and it is hoped to proceed with Scotland's move to level 0 but Ms Sturgeon warned decisions may not be binary and some measures may be added or removed

A review of self-isolation rules may be announced on Tuesday.

Decisions on measures on schools may take longer as ministers monitor the situation.

The First Minister says that although cases are levelling off there is still a need for “care and caution” and there will be no “abrupt end” to restrictions

She also acknowledges that the pandemic is putting pressure on the country's hospitals

There are 2,802 newly confirmed cases (8% of all tests carried out). Positive hospital patients stand at 401 (a rise of 14) and 38 of those are in ICU (four more). Four further deaths are recorded

Scotland is due to move to level zero on 19 July, before dropping almost all restrictions on 9 August
Three hospitals have been placed on “code black” status, having reached full capacity due to a rise in Covid cases
Those who have received at least one vaccination now stands at 3.8 million. The number of fully vaccinated people is 2.8 million

Covid vaccination plea – please encourage your staff to get the jab
Drop-in Covid vaccination clinics are to be opened in all areas of mainland Scotland
Each health board will offer first doses without an appointment to people aged 18 or over.
Second doses will be available for those who received their first injection at least eight weeks previously.
Please can you do all you can to encourage your staff to take up their vaccine appointment. If anyone has missed an appointment, they can register for a vaccination using the link below or call 0800 030 8013.
COVID-19 registration service – Home page (nhs.scot)

We have received contact from several members regarding staff being advised to self-isolate after being in a social environment (pubs, restaurants!) 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.
We have also been informed that business owner keeping a record of the results of the lateral flow tests for staff helps to enable the business to stay open if a positive case is connected to the business.
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.
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

It is important that you have proof that you took all reasonable steps and precautions. However, the test and trace guidance 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 have participated in feedback to the Scottish Government today on how changes to the current restrictions will affect our members.
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 legal requirement to physically distance indoors as well as outdoors could be lifted on 9th August.
• By 18th July, all adults will have had their first dose of a vaccine and second doses should be completed by 12th September.

Butchers Survey, help us to improve our service to you!
win 1 year's annual membership to Scottish Craft Butchers.

Scottish Craft Butchers are supporting this survey, carried out by National Craft Butchers. (terms and conditions attached to this e-mail)

It will provide us with valuable information to allow us to develop the service we provide to our members.

We would encourage you to complete the survey, not all questions are relevant to Scotland but please answer as many as you can using the link below.
(Closing date is 1st August 2021)

SURVEY MONKEY

Butchers based in Scotland who complete the survey, will be entered into a prize draw to win 1 years annual membership to Scottish Craft Butchers. (Main branch only, additional branches of the business will be invoiced as normal)

New Scottish Craft Butchers Ties

We have the new Scottish Craft Butchers ties available in navy blue and maroon.
The ties are available to order from [email protected]
The price is £6.50 each plus VAT.

Win big with MRC and Guinness Magic Tickets

The response to our partnership with Guinness has been amazing, and seeing the magic brought to life in butchers counters made us think it was time to do something big for our biggest launch ever.
Over 6 weeks this summer, there are four Guinness Magic Tickets at large, only in the tubs of the MRC Guinness range. The butchers lucky enough to get their hands on one will win one of four exclusive prizes:
• A trip for two to Dublin with a VIP visit to the Guinness Store House, with flights and accommodation for two nights
• A Large Big Green Egg BBQ
• Two Giant Guinness Goodie Boxes containing MRC x Guinness product, official merchandise, beer and much more.
So, let the hunt begin and may the luckiest butcher's win. Keep up to date with who the lucky winners are over on our Facebook page @mrcflava, and read the full terms and conditions on our website here: https://www.mrcflava.co.uk/guinness-competition/

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