MORE businesses will be required to close under the new lockdown announced by the First Minister yesterday in the fight to contain soaring level of Covid infections.
She said ministers would be speaking to firms to see what further support may be given as she underlined that to date the Scottish Government’s financial support for businesses during the pandemic totalled more than £2.3 billion.
“The law already requires many businesses in certain sectors to close in level 4. We now need every business to look again at their operations, and to make sure that every single function that can be done by people working at home, is being done in that way,” she told Holyrood, which was recalled yesterday for the First Minister’s statement.
“Businesses have already shown a tremendous capacity to adapt during this pandemic – and we need them to consider their operations again, as we all work together to reduce transmissions.
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“The Economy Secretary will be speaking to business organisations about this, including this afternoon. We will also engage with unions on these issues. And we will continue to consider if more regulatory action is required.”
She added: “Premises which will need to close as a result of these changes will include, for example ski centres, showrooms of larger retailers, and clinics offering cosmetic and aesthetic procedures.”
Responding, Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s news is another blow to the private sector’s recovery from this pandemic.
“Whilst we fully appreciate the need for the Scottish Government to act in response to the worrying rise in Covid cases, we cannot ignore the direct impact this will have on business and livelihoods.”
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) urged ministers to provide more help, more quickly to smaller firms to see them through this stage of the crisis.
Andrew McRae, the FSB’s Scotland policy chair said: “This hard lockdown will cause more heartbreak for Scotland’s smaller businesses.
“To stop deep disappointment turning into despondency, ministers need to mitigate the impact on independent and local businesses with easier-to-access financial help and crystal-clear advice.
“We need to see support for the economy match the scale and pace of these restrictions.
“Help for Scottish business can no longer be a dollar short and a day late.”
On school and nursery closures, McRae said: “Working parents across Scotland now face the stress of juggling childcare with their professional responsibilities.
“While we know that small employers will be as flexible as possible, this change heaps pressures on workers and firms alike. Ministers must look at their options at the earliest opportunity.”
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