Coronavirus concerns seem endless, but which are justified?

HOTELS and restaurants are reporting a 10-15% drop in bookings as the coronavirus spreads through Scotland. It is predicted they will take an even bigger hit if the outbreak becomes even more severe.

Industry representatives have warned that Government help may be needed to help avoid businesses going bust.

“Some of our members are already reporting a 10-15% reduction in bookings, so the effects are already being felt,” said Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality.

“At present, Government guidance isn’t telling anyone to avoid going out, just that they make sure they wash their hands thoroughly and often when they do. If that advice changes, then hospitality is likely to take an even bigger hit if people decide to stay inside rather than go for a drink or a meal. The Government may need to step in and help businesses offset the likely reduction in turnover, otherwise some businesses may be fatally hit.”

VisitScotland told the Sunday National that cancellations were “inevitable”.

“There is no doubt that the evolving situation around the coronavirus is creating uncertainty within the tourism industry, and cancellations are inevitable with an international issue such as this,” said a spokesperson.

“However it must be emphasised that Scotland remains open for visitors from both home and abroad.

“We are closely monitoring the situation as it develops to ensure we are in the best position to work with the Scottish Government and other key partners to manage what is happening as effectively as possible, whilst providing support for the industry.

“Communication is incredibly important in these circumstances, ensuring visitors are fully informed to make travel decisions based on the latest advice, and we are constantly updating our dedicated coronavirus advice page on visitscotland.org for businesses and visitors alike."

The Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland) said their members involved in the tourism industry are “understandably worried” about the possible impact on the spring and summer seasons.

FOOD

DISRUPTION of food supplies have so far been limited, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).

As reports of panic buying across the country increase, director David Lonsdale said retailers had contingency plans in case the situation worsens.

“Retailers are carefully monitoring the impact of coronavirus on their supply chains; however disruption thus far has been limited and the availability of products on shop shelves remains good,” he said.

“The industry is adept at coping with unexpected events and most retailers have well-developed contingency plans in place to deal with disruptions and to monitor anticipated changes in demand, so that shoppers have continuous access to the food and other products they want.”

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He said retailers were continuing to monitor the situation and were working hard to prepare for any worsening of the outbreak.

“Different retailers will have differing plans depending on what sub-sector of the retail economy they are in, how resilient their supply chain is and any back up suppliers, and can alight on identifying priority products, whether suppliers will be able to supply such goods, whether there is sufficient warehousing facilities, sufficient staff, intelligence/information requirements to manage such situations, what actions will or may need to be taken, who within the firm is responsible for co-ordinating such actions,” he said.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

RETAILERS are already taking a hit from the coronavirus outbreak and products from international suppliers are being disrupted, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland).

“Some retailers are saying that footfall is down, though the recent poor weather could also be a related factor,” said Stuart Mackinnon, external affairs manager for the FSB in Scotland.

“And those firms allied to Scotland’s tourism industry are understandably worried about the possible impact on the spring and summer seasons. If the economy was severely disrupted, we’d urge big businesses, the banks and the tax authorities to – wherever possible – support smaller operators with some additional flexibility.

“Anecdotally, businesses involved in international supply chains are currently facing some disruption.”

He said it was too early to tell what the overall impact would be.

“We’ve urged our members and the wider small business community to do what they can to prepare for any disruption – by, for example, developing business continuity plans and investigating their insurance policies.”

Westminster has also been warned that “extreme pressure” from the spread of the virus will require Government support for businesses whose workers go off sick or are told to self-isolate.

While welcoming the UK Government’s announcement that Statutory Sick Pay will now begin from the first day a worker is off, CBI Scotland is calling for urgent action on more areas of sick pay to support employees and businesses.

These include extending Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to all workers, including agency staff and others on flexible or zero-hour contracts, who self-isolate in accordance with public health guidance.

The organisation also wants it clarified in law that people who are unable to work because they’re self-isolating – even if they are otherwise healthy – entitles a worker to Statutory Sick Pay even if they don’t have a GP’s “fit note”.

The removal of the need to earn over £118 a week to qualify for SSP should also be removed as it is unfair to part-time employees, the CBI points out.

Lastly, it is calling for emergency relief for businesses – especially small businesses – if the total cost of sick pay becomes unsustainable. Small businesses may be particularly susceptible to cash-flow problems meaning that prompt reimbursement will be key to their ability to continue supporting staff, says the CBI.

“Businesses know they have an important part to play in making it easy for people to comply with public health guidance but it’s vital there are no incentives to ignore the advice because of a fear of not being paid,” said Tracy Black, CBI Scotland director.

“The law is unclear, leaving some workers unsure if following public health guidance risks not being paid.”

She added: “While businesses can help shield workers from the financial cost of coronavirus, there may be situations in the future where some come under extreme pressure and will need support from the Government, especially smaller firms.

“If a situation develops where a large proportion of people are unable to work at the same time, repeatedly, or for a sustained period, that is a heavy burden to take on. If costs become too great, the Government can look at options for emergency relief measures for businesses and to support jobs.”

Unions have also called for more help for workers.

Prospect, which has 10,000 members in Scotland, said the choice for many between following the Government’s advice to self-isolate and going into work would be “agonising”.

“Two weeks off on Statutory Sick Pay will leave a huge hole in many family finances, and there are two million workers across the UK who don’t earn enough to qualify for sick pay and millions more freelancers who have no safety net to fall back on,” said Mike Clancy, Prospect general secretary.

“The Prime Minister has said that nobody will lose out, but unless there is urgent action then his words will ring

hollow with millions of workers across the UK.

“People who already struggle to make ends meet may be forced into debt and self-employed workers will be keenly aware that turning down work today may result in far more than two weeks without pay.”

Nicola Sturgeon says NHS Scotland was working with “well-thought-out” plans

EDUCATION

SCHOOLS in Scotland are remaining open although some schools in England have been closed because of the coronavirus.

Exams are also still expected to go ahead as normal in Scotland but this is subject to change should the outbreak spread.

“The Scottish Government is having ongoing discussions with the SQA to ensure the successful delivery of the 2020 exam diet given the potential for disruption as a result of coronavirus,” said a spokesperson.

“Public safety is our top priority and guidance has been issued to schools. This guidance is updated regularly to ensure plans and preparations are in place to respond.

“Further guidance will be published in due course. In the meantime, students, schools and colleges should continue to complete coursework and prepare for exams and assessments as usual.

“Our approach is at all times guided by the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Health Protection Scotland, independent experts and the World Health Organisation.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said extended school closures would be an unprecedented step, requiring support and guidance from Government.

“The priority must be to minimise the disruption to the learning of students,” he said.

As cases of coronavirus continue to be identified in countries around the globe, the effort to stem its spread has kept around 290 million students home from school.

According to the UN, 22 countries on three continents have closed schools because of the virus with students in China the most affected so far. More than 233m have been kept at home.

Other countries that have nationwide school closures include Japan, Iran, Italy, Iraq, North Korea, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Armenia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates.

HEALTH

A “SIGNIFICANT” rise in cases would put “significant stress” on NHS Scotland, according to the chair of BMA Scotland’s GP committee.

Andrew Buist said there were a limited number of patient beds in Scotland and on any normal day, most of them are full.

“A significant rise in the number of cases of coronavirus is going to put quite significant stress on NHS Scotland,” he said.

As cases continue to rise, one GP surgery in Arygll has told patients to stay away to prevent the virus spreading.

Dr Robert Coull said appointments at Strachur Medical Practice would only be conducted by telephone.

However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has given reassurances that NHS Scotland is well-prepared to deal with a coronavirus outbreak although “non-urgent activity” could be postponed if it worsens.

She said NHS Scotland was working with “well-thought-out” plans to cope with an upsurge in demand as a result of an outbreak that affected large numbers of people.

“It is an escalation plan that has different stages,” she said.

“What it may mean at a later stage is that some non-urgent activity in the NHS would be postponed in order to prioritise capacity for people who needed hospital treatment.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman added: “Scotland is well equipped to deal with infections of this kind and health boards and social care services plan and prepare for a range of emergencies in order to minimise disruption as far as possible.”

“Drive-through” testing areas for coronavirus have been set up outside some Scottish hospitals, including Raigmore in Inverness and the Western General in Edinburgh.

The head of NHS 24, Dr Anna Lamont, has said people with symptoms of the virus should phone their GP during working hours, or 111 out-of-hours.

“Our primary aim is to establish whether they have come from an area that is at risk – that list is published online,” she said. “And also to establish whether they have been in close contact with someone who does have coronavirus.

“If they meet that criteria, and if they have a cough, fever or are short of breath, then we would forward that inquiry through to a clinician either in the out-of-hours service when the GP’s closed or through to the GP during the daytime.”

A second helpline has been set up for people looking for general information about the virus – 0800 028 2816.

However, Dr Lamont encouraged people looking for more information to use the NHS Inform website.