Question reference: S5W-32042
- Asked by: Mike Rumbles, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 24 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, prior to 24 September 2020, whether there has ever been a legally enforceable (a) travel ban and (b) restriction on people meeting in the west of Scotland.
Answer
The local measures introduced within seven west of Scotland Local Authorities were made with regard to the nature and extent of the public health risk, including the sources of infection Such decisions are never taken lightly and are made with due consideration of the four harms as set out in the Scottish Government's framework for decision making.
To this effect, no travel ban was introduced within the areas to which the local measures were introduced.
Scottish Government guidance (published on our website and through our social media channels) made clear that people in the affected local authority areas should not meet socially with other people out with their own or extended households in private indoor settings.
This restriction has now been extended nationally, and the underpinning legislative changes that were in the process of being developed for the local measures have now been made through the Health Protection (Coronavirus)(Restrictions and Requirements) 2020.