Good news on Covid restrictions but tough economic battle ahead

Businesses welcome major easing of Covid restrictions as they prepare for tough recovery battle

The Scottish Government has confirmed that most legislative measures to curb Covid will be removed from 9th August. As expected, face coverings will continue to be mandatory in public places. This follows the previous decision that double vaccinated visitors from EU Amber list countries and the US will no longer have to quarantine to give a massive double boost for businesses desperate to rebuild after the devastation of lockdown and international travel bans.

Commenting on the announcement, Alan Mitchell, Chief Executive of Fife Chamber, said: “This was the only decision that was warranted and fair. Covid infection, hospitalisation and mortality rates did not justify any further delay in abolishing most of the remaining legal restrictions. Nor could the majority be penalised because some people have chosen not to get vaccinated. That would have been blatantly wrong. The main restriction that stays in force is wearing face coverings in some public places. I do not envisage this being a big problem for most businesses. Physical distancing, for example, damaged them much more.

“Most people running businesses in Fife and the people working in those businesses now have a better shot at returning to profitability and securing their future. It will not be easy. Many firms have been financially battered by covid restrictions. Many businesses face huge pressures outside Covid. Achieving and sustaining growth will be hard. Fife Chamber will firmly put pressure on the First Minister and her Government to address the economic growth challenge with the same determination and focus they put into suppressing Covid. But setting that aside, today is a good day, and a big step forward.”