Question reference: S5W-34617
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 19 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 2 February 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns regarding the closure of swimming pools under the latest COVID-19 restrictions from people who are only able to exercise through swimming, rather than walking, such as some people with arthritis.
Answer
We fully appreciate the impact the closure of swimming pools is having on people’s physical and mental health, especially those with long-term conditions such as arthritis. The Scottish Government, sport scotland, local authorities and sporting bodies are working together and accessing the latest evidence to produce guidance to allow people to access facilities when it is deemed safe to do so.
Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed. This assessment process includes oversight of the assessed health risks in different settings by the Chief Medical Officer and input from the other Chief Clinicians as appropriate.
We understand that people with painful conditions like arthritis may be facing additional difficulties in managing their condition during the pandemic. Many NHS Boards and third-sector organisations such as Versus Arthritis provide a range of tools and self-management resources to support people to keep active, which may be particularly helpful at this time.