CBI Scotland Responds To First Minister's Announcement On Latest Covid-19 Guidance

14th December 2021

"While it's right to continue prioritising public health, the Scottish Government must show the same urgency in addressing the economic consequences of Omicron. It’s vital that government now works closely with affected industries to get financial support where it’s needed most, particularly as restrictions limit firms’ ability to trade their way to recovery.

“While the government hasn’t gone so far as to explicitly shut down certain sectors, new guidance on household mixing will inevitably impact firms banking on a bumper festive period. As seen in the hospitality sector, with a large number of cancellations already reported, the danger is of suppressing confidence, demand and ultimately profitability.

“Urgent clarity is needed on what physical distancing and crowd control requirements mean in practice during the busiest time of the year for restaurants, pubs and shops.

“Employers have consistently prioritised the safety of staff and customers throughout the pandemic, including supporting staff who can work from home to do so. Hybrid and flexible working bring many benefits but working from home can also restrict trade for some businesses and impact mental health. That’s why the legal requirement to work from home should be reversed as soon as it is safe to do so.

“The economy should remain as open as is feasibly safe to do so in the coming weeks. Every effort must go into Covid secure tools that can protect public health and build confidence. As well as promoting booster jags, this includes considering daily contact testing as an alternative to mass isolation and pushing the ‘test when you go out’ campaign to underline the role of personal LFD testing in managing risk and reducing transmission."