Highland Council leader keen to see coronavirus indoor contact limitations lifted in time for Christmas
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Ongoing coronavirus restrictions on household indoor contact is one of the hardest issues for Highlanders, according to civic leaders.
People also need hope they can be with families and loved ones over Christmas while accommodation businesses need clarity regarding festive bookings.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson and chief executive Donna Manson highlighted the issues during a meeting with Aileen Campbell, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for communities and local government, to discuss the impact of the region being placed in tier one under new coronavirus rules.
"The low Covid numbers in Highland are due to very good levels of compliance and also the excellent partnership work across the council, NHS Highland and police which has succeeded in successfully dealing with local outbreaks," Councillor Davidson said.
She said clarity of message was important and a logical scientific basis for restrictions, adding: "Household visits are extremely important for people’s mental health and especially so in more rural areas due to lack of opportunities and facilities to meet in hospitality settings.
"Restricting social contact to within hospitality also has a welfare and financial impact where people may not have the resources to pay for meals in order to meet within a hospitality setting."
While understanding the government’s caution, she was keen this restriction was lifted as soon as possible and she also pressed the case for additional support for Highland tourism businesses.
"Our accommodation businesses need to know, can they take bookings from England and level three for Christmas and New Year.
"They feel almost frozen at present with lack of clarity – and we need to get as much financial support into Highland for our tourism and hospitality businesses as we can."
Mrs Manson raised the issue of welfare for parents of young children required to self-isolate but not qualifying for a £500 payment.
She also said due to the region’s rurality and remoteness, many young people have to leave the Highlands for work or study.
"It is vital for their mental health and for their families, that they are enabled to return home for the festive period and reconnect with their families," she said.
Meanwhile, Police Scotland is involved in helping to tackle the pandemic.
Superintendent Iain MacLelland, of Highlands and Islands Division, said officers will continue to engage with people to explain the regulations and any new restrictions.
"Where we encounter repeated and persistent breaches we will, as the public would expect, act decisively to enforce the law," he said.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s director of public health, urged people to follow the national guidance.
"We are learning and improving our processes for dealing with the cases of Covid-19 at every opportunity but I am also making an appeal to everyone to help us in fighting this virus," he said.
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