Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-29425

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation the Water Industry Commission had with business organisations prior to implementing temporary changes to water charges for businesses in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Question reference: S5W-29430

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response to the stakeholders that were consulted by the Water Industry Commission on a temporary relief scheme for business water charges in response to the COVID-19 emergency who claim that the actions were not consistent with the commission's own ethical business principles.

Question reference: S5W-29046

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been provided to public service providers and retailers to support people with sight loss maintaining two metres' social distancing (a) when queuing to access buildings and (b) once they enter a building.

Guidance has been issued to public service providers and retailers that remain open, that they must ensure a distance of two metres between customers, and between customers and shop assistants, letting people enter the shop only in small numbers, to ensure that spaces are not crowded and to ensure queue control is consistent with social distancing advice. The guidance does not specifically refer to supporting people with sight loss or to the use of tactile markers, however, the Scottish Government would expect staff to be vigilant and assist any individuals who may face difficulty in maintaining a two metre social distance.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that a disabled person has, as far as is reasonable, the same access as a non-disabled person. The Scottish Government expects service providers to adapt these adjustments in light of the current COVID-19 situation and it is up to individual service providers to determine what these adjustments are.

We would also ask that the general public is similarly supportive and, in particular, that care is taken to give anyone with a visual impairment or other disability, sufficient space and time so that they can access supermarkets and other facilities safely, in line with the current Covid-19 guidance.

Question reference: S5W-29049

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what public awareness information has been provided to support people with sight loss to safely maintain two metres social distancing.

Physical distancing measures are steps everyone should take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Guidance on physical distancing is available on the Scottish Government website physical (social) distancing guide and although this is not specific to those with sight loss, the Scottish Government has worked with NHS Inform to ensure that all Covid-19 guidance, as well as that on physical distancing, is available in accessible formats, including audio. Audio files can be found here -

https://www.nhsinform.scot/translations/formats/audio/coronavirus-covid-19

Additionally, vision impairment charities have produced some top tips on physical distancing, for those that are blind or visually impaired. Examples can be found here:

https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning/campaigning-news/rnib-sends-supermarkets-guidance

https://www.henshaws.org.uk/top-tips-for-social-distancing-if-you-are-blind-or-visually-impaired/

https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/coronavirus-information/Getting-out-and-about/social-dist-CV

Where keeping a two metre distance is difficult or not possible, the message remains the same for us all, stay at home wherever possible, except for essential trips. For those who do not have someone in their household to accompany them and cannot safely make essential trips on their own and need urgent supplies, including; essential food and medication or local social work services or emotional support or to contact local volunteer group, a National Assistance Helpline has been set up to provide assistance. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-vulnerable-people/ .’

Question reference: S5W-29048

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been issued on the use of tactile markers to make it easier for people with sight loss maintaining two metres social distancing while queuing to access buildings.

Guidance has been issued to public service providers and retailers that remain open, that they must ensure a distance of two metres between customers, and between customers and shop assistants, letting people enter the shop only in small numbers, to ensure that spaces are not crowded and to ensure queue control is consistent with social distancing advice. The guidance does not specifically refer to supporting people with sight loss or to the use of tactile markers, however, the Scottish Government would expect staff to be vigilant and assist any individuals who may face difficulty in maintaining a two metre social distance.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that a disabled person has, as far as is reasonable, the same access as a non-disabled person. The Scottish Government expects service providers to adapt these adjustments in light of the current COVID-19 situation and it is up to individual service providers to determine what these adjustments are.

We would also ask that the general public is similarly supportive and, in particular, that care is taken to give anyone with a visual impairment or other disability, sufficient space and time so that they can access supermarkets and other facilities safely, in line with the current Covid-19 guidance.

Question reference: S5W-29050

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been issued to public transport providers to support people with sight loss maintain two metres social distancing before and during travel.

Question reference: S5W-29027

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it reached the decision to contact all people in COVID-19 shielded groups and notify them with advice; when the first contacts were made, and whether every person initially identified as being in these groups has now been contacted.

Question reference: S5F-04165

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 May 2020

To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will commence its review of care homes.

Question reference: S5W-29042

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many care home staff in the (a) public, (b) voluntary and (c) private sector have been tested for COVID-19, and what percentage of the total workforce in each category this represents.

Question reference: S5O-04349

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide testing facilities in the areas with the highest incidence of COVID-19.

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