- Updated Strategic Framework published
Scotland’s phased and careful approach to easing lockdown
restrictions while continuing to suppress Coronavirus (COVID-19)
has been outlined by the First Minister.
The updated Strategic Framework sets out the six tools the
Scottish Government will use to restore, on a phased basis,
greater normality to our everyday lives.
The immediate priority will continue to be the phased return of
education, building on the return of some pupils to school
yesterday. On the basis that progress in suppressing the virus
and vaccinating key groups remains on track restrictions would be
eased in the following order:
- the next phase of school returns with the rest of the primary
school years, P4 to P7, and more senior phase secondary pupils
back in the classroom for part of their learning and the limit on
outdoor mixing between households increasing to four people from
a maximum of two households
- the stay at home restriction to be lifted and any final
school returns to take place. Communal worship to restart in
limited numbers mindful of the timing of major religious
festivals. This phase would also see the re-opening of retail,
starting with an extension of the definition of essential retail
and the removal of restrictions on click-and collect
- return to a levels approach with all of Scotland moving to at
least level 3, with some possible adjustments. This could mean
that from the last week of April that we would expect to see
phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including
non-essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and
hairdressers
There is likely to be a gap of at least three weeks between each
easing of restrictions to assess the impact of changes, and to
check that it is safe to proceed further using the six conditions
for safe easing set out by the World Health Organisation.
As the vaccination programme progresses, a return to more
variable levels of restrictions, which can vary by location, is
likely when it is safe to do so.
Ongoing financial support is set out in the Framework and will
continue to be available to businesses as we emerge from
lockdown. This includes the ongoing commitment to fund the
Strategic Framework Business Fund and to provide Level 4 payments
for an additional month once businesses are moved down a level.
These proposals are contingent on receipt of additional
consequentials from the UK Government.
First Minister said:
“I know how hard current restrictions are after 11 long months of
this pandemic, however they are working and we can now see our
way out of them. We are in a far better position now than at the
start of January and these measures are initial steps on a slow,
but hopefully steady, route back to much greater normality.
“Our intent remains to suppress the virus to the lowest possible
level and keep it there, while we strive to return to a more
normal life for as many people as possible.
“At the moment, and for a bit longer, we need to rely very
heavily on restrictions to suppress the virus. This is essential
when the virus is so transmissible, and when case numbers are
still quite high.
“In time though - once the vast majority of the adult population
has received at least one dose of the vaccine - we hope that
vaccination will become our main tool for suppressing the virus.
“The Strategic Framework is deliberately cautious at this stage
but in the coming weeks, if the data allows and positive trends
continue, we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions.”
Background
Coronavirus (COVID-19):
Strategic Framework update - February 2021 - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
update: First Minister's statement - 23 February 2021 - gov.scot
(www.gov.scot)
The Scottish Government’s priority is to suppress the virus to
the lowest possible level and keep it there, while we strive to
return to a more normal life for as many people as possible.
There are six main tools for achieving this:
- the quickest practical roll-out of our vaccination programme
- the most effective use of Test and Protect
- applying proportionate protective measures (rules and
guidance) to suppress transmission of the virus
- effective measures to manage the risk of importation of the
virus
- supporting individuals, businesses and organisations to
adhere to protective measures
- providing care and support to mitigate the harms of the
crisis
The six conditions for safe easing set out by the World Health
Organisation are:
- COVID-19 transmission is under control
- sufficient health systems and public health capabilities are
in place
- outbreak risks are minimised in vulnerable settings
- workplace preventative measures are established
- risk of imported cases are managed
- communities are fully engaged
