Question reference: S5W-34244
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 22 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its review of the equalities impact of its decisions regarding COVID-19 on people living and working in care homes.
Answer
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 were introduced to respond to the emergency pandemic and to protect lives. The potential impacts on human rights and equal opportunities were assessed during the development of the legislation, taking into account stakeholder views, and are summarised in the published Policy Memorandums accompanying the Bills. There is regular reporting to the Scottish Parliament on the use of the powers contained within the Coronavirus Act 2020, Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020
The published document Equality and Fairer Scotland Impact Assessment: Evidence gathered for Scotland’s Route Map through and out of the Crisis sets out the evidence we have gathered in relation to the actual or likely impacts of the proposed activities on different groups, based on protected characteristics and socio-economic disadvantage, as well as describing a range of activities that we have put in place to mitigate negative impacts or promote positive impacts and advance equality or good relations. Consideration of the COVID restrictions on care homes is included within the document in particular the restrictions on visiting.