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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S5O-04610

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it is considering to support pupils and teachers who were shielding before the return to school.

Question reference: S5W-31680

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 16 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce the mandatory wearing of face coverings in hospitality venues.

Question reference: S5W-31546

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when the United Arab Emirates will be added to the list of countries where people do not need to quarantine when returning to Scotland.

From the outset, we have adopted a public health focused approach to the border health measures. The data and evidence we receive to inform our decisions on these measures comes from the Public Health England and the Joint Biomedical Centre (JBC) via the UK Government. As this data is owned by the UK Government, we are not able to publish the analysis on specific countries and why countries are or are not on the exemptions list. I have written to the UK Government asking them to make the data publicly available.

We are continuously keeping countries under review and where there is clear evidence that it is safe to do so, we will add further countries to the exemption list. Likewise, if the evidence suggests an exempt country may provide increased risk, we will not hesitate to reinstate quarantine arrangements.

Question reference: S5W-31553

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 15 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when mobile nail technicians will be allowed to recommence their services to homes.

We recognise that this is a difficult time for mobile therapists, including nail and beauty technicians.

However, our primary driver is safeguarding public health and wellbeing and preventing transmission of the virus. We are currently developing guidance in partnership with sectoral trade bodies and health specialists to support mobile close contact services to return to work.

While we are not yet able to provide a date for when these services will be permitted to resume, we will aim to do so as soon as is it safe to do so. In the meantime, therapists who operate from a fixed premises – including the practitioner’s own home – are currently permitted to do so provided they follow the relevant guidance.

Question reference: S5W-31582

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether quarantine restrictions for people returning from countries such as Greece also apply to people arriving in Scotland from these countries via another airport in the UK.

The regulations apply to people who live in Scotland and who are returning from outside Scotland, as well as to people visiting Scotland, and apply to international travellers to Scotland irrespective of their point of entry into the UK.

Travellers must complete an online passenger locator form before travelling, and provide contact details, travel details and the address of their final destination. This information will be used to contact the individual if they or someone else they have travelled with develops coronavirus symptoms, and to check that they are self-isolating for 14 days after they arrive in Scotland if required to.

There is further guidance on the regulations available here .

Question reference: S5W-31488

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans additional steps to ensure compliance with the rules regarding compulsory wearing of facemasks on public transport.

Transport Scotland is in regular dialogue with transport operators who have been reminded, as per the guidance, that they are expected to consider displaying prominent signage highlighting that face-coverings must be worn and also that their staff may enquire of passengers why they are not wearing face-coverings and remind them of their legal obligations in so doing.

We continue to monitor compliance levels and the need to strengthen guidance or legislation remains under review.

Enforcement of the wearing of face-coverings on public transport rests with Police Scotland and the British Transport Police.

Question reference: S5W-31554

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 14 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when NHS dental aerosol-generating procedures will be allowed to recommence.

Certain aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) have been permitted in dental surgeries for NHS treatments since 17 August 2020. This development continues to reflect the phased reintroduction of NHS dental services and is supported by the provision of appropriate face-fitted PPE – free of charge – for all NHS treatments.

Staff across the dental sector are working hard to effect the reintroduction of these treatments in surgeries across Scotland and this process is being fully supported by NHS Boards, with work on-going to expedite the rollout of the specialist PPE required to protect against COVID-19 in dental settings.

In considering the relaxation of restrictions on dental care public health and the prevention of viral transmission remains of paramount concern, especially the safety of both patients and practitioners going forward.

Question reference: S5W-31517

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, subject to their compliance with the relevant safety guidelines, whether the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 permit parent-toddler groups to organise outdoor gatherings and activities.

Question reference: S5W-31516

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 11 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when parent and toddler groups will be permitted to restart on an indoor basis, and whether specific guidance will be issued.

Provisional guidance for the safe running of organised activities for children and young people under 18 was published on 1 September. Subject to final review by Health Protection Scotland (part of Public Health Scotland), it will be updated within the next week. It does include indoor toddler groups that adults have to attend. Organisers should consult the guidance to ensure that they meet the necessary requirements.

Question reference: S5W-31518

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 10 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what support and guidance it is giving to education authorities to provide to pupils regarding the safe use of face coverings in schools.

The World Health Organisation issued new advice on face coverings on 21 August. After consideration by the Advisory Sub-Group, and following consultation with teachers and local authorities, our advice was updated on 25 August. Paragraphs 79 to 92 of the updated guidance offer advice on the safe use of face coverings in schools.

The guidance has been updated to note that face coverings should (unless exemptions apply) be worn by adults and young people in secondary schools when moving about the school in corridors and communal areas, where physical distancing is particularly difficult to maintain. They should be worn on school transport by everyone over the age of 5. Anyone (whether child, young person or adult) wishing to wear a face covering in school should be permitted to do so.

We seek regular feedback from partners via the Education Recovery Group about the experiences of pupils and staff in schools, and the way in which our guidance is being implemented in schools. Where there is a need to take action, either by updating our guidance or ensuring it is being given practical effect, we will work with partners to do so.