Question reference: S5W-29305
- Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 26 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 June 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has recommended delaying the reopening of businesses in the (a) housebuilding and (b) clothing and textile sector until the second phase of its route map for exiting the COVID-19 lockdown.
Answer
Our assessment of which sectors and types of working could open at this time has taken into account which sectors incur a lower risk of transmission as well as the ease of implementing physical distancing. It has also taken into account the low level of interdependencies, with other sectors of the economy as well as against the binding constraints of transport and school capacity. At this point, those types of working which have met these criteria as well as the three pillars of safe working will reopen as part of the phased release. Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis sets out the phased return for other sectors of the economy.
The health and safety of the people of Scotland is our top priority. Our manufacturing sector guidance (published 26 May), notes that due to the increased risk of the transmission of coronavirus, indoor non-essential manufacturing is not expected to resume until phase 2, with preparatory work for ensuring physical distancing and enhanced hygiene measures able to take place during phase 1.
We want to get the housing market moving as soon as it is safe to do so but we will only act in line with the medical and scientific evidence and advice specific to the pandemic in Scotland. As set out in the route map , in Phase 1 we are preparing for the safe reopening of the housing market and, in phase 2, we anticipate a relaxation of restrictions on home moves. The Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on moving home (published 31 March) remains in force during phase 1. On 28 May, we issued a short supplementary guidance note on how phases 1 and 2 in the Scottish Government’s route map apply to the housing market and home moves.
We have also signalled that the construction sector could implement the first two phases in its restart plan in phase 1 of the route map, with a decision to move to 'phase 2-soft start' of the construction sector's plan only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so and in line with public health advice.