COVID-19 UPDATES for Wildlife, Adventure and Activity Operators in Scotland
Please see the latest Guidance here
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Latest Government Updates
19th April 2021
On Tuesday 20th April, the First Minister gave an update on changes to COVID-19 restrictions which come into effect from Monday (26 April). Read the full statement here.
The following timetable of easing restrictions was outlined:
- 26th April – whole of Scotland moves to level 3
- 17th May – Level 2 – for example that from 17 May people will be able to meet in small numbers in each other’s homes for the first time in a long time, there will be further reopening of hospitality, and outdoor contact sport for adults will resume.
- 7th Jun – Level 1
- End of June – Level 0
- Summer – a move to “something more like normality”
From Monday 26th April Tourism will reopen across Scotland – key points
- all remaining travel restrictions will be lifted on 26 April for travel anywhere in Scotland, and for travel between Scotland, England and Wales. So from Monday, you can travel anywhere across Britain for any purpose. We will also remove restrictions on Monday on travel to and from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man – though people should check the rules on entry to each of these territories before you travel.
- Tourist accommodation can re-open from Monday 26th April. However in self-catering accommodation, the rules on indoor meetings still apply. Which means that, until 17 May, two households can’t stay in the same accommodation.
- lateral flow testing will be available to anyone in Scotland from 26 April. You can order later flow test online for delivery to your home – and you can find information on how to do that on the Scottish Government’s website. Alternatively, you can collect the tests from Covid testing centres in the afternoon or early evening.
- Island communities are being kept at the same level as the rest of the country at the moment, to allow travel between island communities and the rest of Scotland. “So If you are planning to travel to an island we do encourage you to take two lateral flow tests before you depart.
The second test should be on the day that you are planning to travel, and the first should be three days before you travel. That means that if you test positive, you have a chance to take a PCR test – which is more sensitive – to confirm the result before making a final decision on cancelling your visit.” - Physical Distancing rules remain the same
- Other changes that come into force from Monday are as follows:
- Retail can open
- Takeaway can open from inside
- Hospitality can open – outdoors 6 people/ 6 households and alcohol permitted. Indoors until 8:00 pm, no alcohol 6 people from 2 households,
- Non-essential informal childcare can re-start;
- Non-essential work is again permitted inside people’s homes. That includes cleaning – and also repair work, and painting and decorating;
- Driving lessons and driving tests can resume;
- Gyms and swimming pools can re-open for individual exercise; and
- Indoor attractions and public buildings – such as galleries, museums and libraries – are also able to re-open from Monday.
Collection of Customer Data
Updated multi-sector guidance to support customer and visitor data gathering for businesses and other establishments to assist contact tracing as part of NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system. Please see the guidance here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/test-protect-multi-sector-guidance-collection-customer-visitor-contact-details-april-2021-update/
- Key change, data should now be collected from each member of the party not just the lead member.
Tourism and Hospitality Guidance
Guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector, including procedures for staff and customer safety and an operations checklist, has been published ahead of the 26 April reopening. Guidance covering Wedding receptions and funeral wakes is also included.
Further updates
Updated guidance on face coverings and face masks has also been published. The guidance includes information on face coverings in the workplace and additional information for businesses or operators carrying out close contact work. In addition, a general advice card for everyone at work has been published and a specific advice card for those working in the waste sector providing guidance for managers and workers is also now available.
Useful Links to funding
FIND BUSINESS SUPPORT – this is the GO TO website for all the information you need regarding coronavirus funding and support.
We’re Good to Go Industry Standard
- The ‘We’re Good to Go’ Scheme, created so businesses across all sectors of the tourism industry in Scotland can demonstrate to the public that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance has been extended. You can sign up to the scheme here and will benefit from a streamlined application process.
- VisitBritain has announced that tourism businesses in the UK registered to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard scheme can now automatically be issued with the international ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The WTTC stamp enables travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted global standardised protocols – so they can experience ‘Safe Travels.’
VisitBritain is coordinating the Safe Travels stamp issue in the UK, on behalf of the WTTC, for businesses registered to its ‘We’re Good To Go’ scheme, with those who welcome international visitors particularly encouraged to use the Safe Travels stamp.
Any business that is signed up to ‘We’re Good To Go’, can now log back into their online ‘We’re Good to Go’ account and download the Safe Travels logo from there.
For more information, please click here.
Business Support & Events
The Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG) wants to help you plan during these uncertain times and has created a scenario planning toolkit to do just that. FIND OUT MORE
Adventure Industry & Tourism Events 2021
Support Funding for Marine & Outdoor Tourism Update
- Applications from this fund have now closed.
- All successful applicants have now received funding.
- We continue to lobby for those that have clearly fallen through the cracks and received no funding support.
In response to our appeal to the Scottish Government, the Outdoor and Marine fund was been increased from £2.5 million to £4 million. However, Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland continue to lobby hard on behalf on the sector in recognition that this fund has not been enough and we are looking at further support to ensure survival of businesses as we head towards opening up.
The following has been highlighted and discussions with the Scottish Government are ongoing:
- Underfunded grant scheme
- Inequality of funding support
- Continued unviable trading for parts of the sector as a result of continued restrictions
- Catastrophic market failure for the overnight boating sector and critical short season
Other information and Links
Tourism and Hospitality Guidance
Sport and physical activity guidance
Guidance for Transport Operators.
Scottish Enterprise Advice and Support
People Support – Skills Development Scotland
Business Gateway – digital boost and other useful webinars
Free Protect Scotland App from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect. This is now available to download at protect.scot and via the App Store and Google Play.
The free Protect Scotland App is the next step in stopping the spread of coronavirus and complements existing contact tracing measures, helping us to determine contacts that we may have otherwise missed, and allows us to alert people at risk far more quickly so they can steps to reduce the risk of infecting others.
Adventure Travel COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines
Risk Assessment Templates (HSE)
First Aid Advice for First Responders UK Government
VisitScotland –coronavirus support and information
Local Advice and measures– Advice and guidance relating to local outbreaks or clusters of coronavirus cases.
Scottish Government- What you can and cannot do
Sail Scotland Guidance for Marine Tourism Sector
Tourism Recovery recommendations
Coronavirus support & information | VisitScotland.org COVID Advice Pages
UK Segments during the Covid 19 pandemic (visitscotland.org) UK Market Segments during COVID
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Previous updates and useful links relating to Covid-19
Please note that advice from the Scottish Government may differ from that of England and Wales.
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The full advice from Scottish Government relating to the Coronavirus can be found here: www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Wild Scotland Member Newsletter Archive – click here for access
- Wild Scotland Newsletter: sign up here to receive regular news and advice during Covid-19 – Adventure Operators Sign up here, DMOs, Industry and Sector groups sign up here
- Loch Lomond National Park Covid-19 updates: Read More
- Cairngorms National Park Covid-19 updates: Read more
- Scottish Tourism Alliance: Sign up for daily updates
- Scottish Canoe Association: Covid-19 Resource Hub and latest guidelines
- Scottish Mountaineering updates (walk, climb,ski): Read more
- Coronovirus Helpline for Scottish businesses – Scottish Enterprise call handlers will be available to answer questions
Mon – Fri 8.30am-5.30pm
0300 303 0660 http://bit.ly/38NEANO - Keep up to date with VisitScotland including useful advice & up to date information: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus
- Scottish Government business advice update: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/
- Wellbeing of you and your staff
- Mental health wellbeing is top priority. In these difficult times it can be hard to know which way to turn. Not only are you having to think about your own survival / putting food on the table but many will have elderly and vulnerable family and employees that they care about.
Don’t be alone, please seek advice. Talking about it really can help: - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
- https://www.samh.org.uk/
- https://breathingspace.scot/
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