Letter from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery on Draft Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 7) Regulations 2021, 23 December 2021
Dear Siobhian
Yesterday afternoon, my officials shared with the Commiittee a copy of the Draft Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 6) Regulations 2021, which will give effect to the health protection measures announced by the First Minister in her statement on Tuesday.
After further careful consideration, the Scottish Government now proposes to make an additional set of Regulations. Having engaged with the sector, we now propose to require that nightclubs should not operate as such for this three-week period. While it would be open to them to operate with distancing and table service – and that option will remain – we consider that closure in regulations, combined with financial support, may reduce losses and help these businesses weather what we hope will be a short period until they are able to operate normally again. This change will be effected by a separate SSI, the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 7) Regulations 2021, coming into force at the same time.
I hope the Committee finds this notification helpful.
I am copying this message to the Presiding Officer and SPICe.
Yours sincerely,John Swinney
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery,
Scottish Government