Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-30791

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 17 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates outdoor holiday clubs for school-aged children will be able to resume activities.

There are two circumstances in which outdoor holiday clubs can be provided over the summer period. Firstly, if the provider is a service registered with the Care Inspectorate to provide childcare and is able to operate within the current guidance for fully outdoor settings or for school age childcare services . Secondly, if the provider is delivering organised outdoor sporting activity for children and can operate in accordance with guidance produced by their Scottish Governing Body of Sport.

Question reference: S5W-30725

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 12 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it expects motor caravanner rallies to be able to resume meetings.

An organised event, such as a motor caravan rally, will be covered by the dates for reopening of the events sector. The First Minister published an update to the Routemap on 30 July, which proposed an indicative date of 24 August for live outdoor events and 14 September for live indoor events, subject to limited numbers, strict physical distancing measures and following the relevant guidance.

It is important to emphasise that these are not confirmed dates and may be changed if the epidemic deteriorates in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-30788

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason equestrian competitions have not been permitted to resume, in light of other outdoor-based sports being able to.

Question reference: S5W-30790

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason acupuncturists and providers of other health services have not been permitted to return to work, in light of hairdressers being permitted to do so on 15 July 2020.

Following a clinical assessment, personal retail services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine services (CAMs) and massage therapy, were advised that they could resume services as of 22 July 2020, where the service is carried out in a therapist’s own premises (i.e. not a mobile therapist, who provides treatment in a patient’s home), and the close contact retail guidance has been updated to reflect this.

The Scottish Government are undertaking further clinical assessment of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for mobile massage and CAM services, and are considering whether further guidance is required for these.

Question reference: S5W-30810

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects professional providers of complementary, natural and alternative medicines to be permitted to reopen their practices.

Following a clinical assessment, personal retail services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine services (CAMs) and massage therapy, were advised that they could resume services as of 22 July 2020, where the service is carried out in a therapist’s own premises (i.e. not a mobile therapist, who provides treatment in a patient’s home), and the close contact retail guidance has been updated to reflect this.

The Scottish Government are undertaking further clinical assessment of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for mobile massage and CAM services, and are considering whether further guidance is required for these.

Question reference: S5W-30787

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates equestrian competitions will be permitted to resume.

The Scottish Government and sport scotland have been working with partners on a range of sports and activities on the way they can resume in a safe way. All sports and activities pose different challenges, which can impact on the timing of resumption of certain disciplines. In terms of Equestrian, we have engaged with HorseScotland to work towards a timely return of both grassroots activity and competition.

HorseScotland is a key member of the COVID-19 response group which has been set up by sport scotland to consider the conditions required for the return of outdoor sport. HorseScotland have recently published phase 3 guidance on their website. This guidance indicates that at present, to restrict the possible spread of the virus, competition should only be undertaken locally and informally. Ministers will review this regularly with a view to permitting competition as soon as possible.

Question reference: S5W-30789

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates providers of acupuncture treatment will be permitted to return to work.

Following a clinical assessment, personal retail services, including Complementary and Alternative Medicine services (CAMs) and massage therapy, were advised that they could resume services as of 22 July 2020, where the service is carried out in a therapist’s own premises (i.e. not a mobile therapist, who provides treatment in a patient’s home), and the close contact retail guidance has been updated to reflect this.

The Scottish Government are undertaking further clinical assessment of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 for mobile massage and CAM services, and are considering whether further guidance is required for these.

Question reference: S5O-04471

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason source emissions rose by 1.5% from 2017 to 2018.

Question reference: S5W-30266

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 13 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason hospitality venues will be permitted to open to the public in July 2020, but not places of worship.

We recognise how difficult it has been for Scotland’s faith communities to be unable to come together in places of worship at this challenging time. This was of course necessary due to the pandemic and I appreciate the understanding and patience our faith communities have shown in abiding by restrictions, which have been vital to ensure safety and stop the spread of the virus.

Working with our faith leaders and guided in particular by evolving scientific and health advice on transmission risks, we are confident that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to bring forward the reopening of places of worship to 15 July. This was announced by the First Minister on 9 July.

The Scottish Government has remained engaged with our faith communities and will continue to work closely with them as we develop guidance to support places of worship to re-open safely, with physical distancing and hygiene safeguards.

Question reference: S5W-29883

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects self-employed driving instructors to be able to resume driving lessons with the general public.

Having clear guidance in order for businesses to restart safely is vital, particularly as there is a heightened risk of transmission of the virus between instructors and learner drivers due to their proximity during lessons, so we are developing guidance for driving instructors as a matter of urgency. The guidance will be based on the best available public health advice in Scotland and will include clarification of what phase of Scotland’s Route Map that driving instructors can restart with appropriate risk assessment and hygiene measures in place.

Tell us your views

Chamber and committees