About the blog

Note: This blog is updated weekly on Friday mornings. The title on the post will be amended to show when updates have been made and newly added entries will be prefixed with ‘NEW!’.  Please note that the URL in the address bar will remain the same (i.e. including 19 March) – this is to ensure that links are not broken and anyone who has bookmarked the page can return easily.

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are receiving a large number of enquiries relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19).  SPICe is still responding to enquiries through the usual enquiry process.

However, to aid MSPs in responding to their constituents, and for the use of anyone else who is interested, we are providing this blogpost.

The post contains links to trusted and official external sources of information relating to issues that constituents may be needing advice on.

Please see our COVID-19 hub for a full list of subject specific SPICe blogs 

Blog layout

We have included an introductory section on ‘where are we now?’ which relates to the current protection levels prescribed by the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework

This section is followed by sources broken down into broad subjects, each section split into ‘guidance’ and ‘funding and support’.

The blog is broken down into the following sections:

• Where are we now?
• Key Sources
• Business & Industry (including business support, employment, retail and utilities)
• Education (including childcare)
• Health & Social Care
• Housing & Planning
• Justice
• Parliament & Government
• People & Communities (including charities, third sector and volunteering)
• Rural Affairs
• Social Security
• Transport, Travel & Tourism

SPICe will also keep our other publications in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19) under review. Please sign-up to Spotlight and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date.

Where are we now?

The Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework sets out a five-level system of restrictions, applied by local authority. The current levels for each framework can be found in the Scottish Government’s guidance on local protection levels.

On Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a temporary Lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home except for essential purposes. The First Minister announced on Tuesday 19 January that current lockdown measures will stay in place across mainland Scotland and some island communities until at least the middle of February.

Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, remain at Level 3, with the exception of Barra and Vatersay, which moved into lockdown from 00:01 on Wednesday 20 January, following a sharp increase in infection rates. 

The following islands in Argyll and Bute are at level 3: The Isle of Coll, the Isle of Colonsay, the Isle of Erraid, the Isle of Gometra, the Isle of Iona, the Isle of Islay, the Isle of Jura, the Isle of Mull, the Isle of Oronsay, the Isle of Tiree, and the Isle of Ulva.

All islands in Highland are in level 3, except the Isle of Skye.

Key Sources

• NEW! Scottish Government – Stay at home infographic (21 January 2021) 
• NEW! Scottish Government – If not now, when? – Social Renewal Advisory Board report: January 2021 (21 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Strengthening of lockdown restrictions from 00:01 on Saturday 16 January. Non-essential click and collect retail services will be prohibited in Level 4 areas, with changes in five other key areas including restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in public places. (13 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – rollout of the Oxford/Astrazeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine in GP practices and community vaccination centres from Monday 11 January. (10 January 2021)
• UK Chief Medical Officers – joint statement recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 5 (4 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Roll-out of Astrazeneca vaccine gets underway (4 January 2021)
• First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions around the festive period. The easing of restrictions around Christmas will now be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous 5-day window that was planned. From Boxing Day, all of Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. Other than for specific exemptions, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal from midnight on Sunday 20 December. (19 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for Christmas and the festive period, updated on 20 December to reflect the recent announcements on the tightening of restrictions. (16 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – The self-isolation period for positive contacts and overseas arrivals will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days, starting from Monday, 14 December 2020 (11 December 2020)

• Scottish Government – First vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme (8 December 2020)
• UK Government announce that the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been authorised by the medicines regulator for use in the UK. (2 December 2020)

• Scottish Government – UK-wide “limited relaxation” of coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas period. Between 23 and 27 December, households will be able to travel between local authorities and between the four nations. A maximum of three households are to be able to meet in a “bubble” during this time. (24 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – updated COVID-19 protection levels and travel regulations. Eleven local authorities will move into the highest protection level at 6pm on Friday 20 November. Regulations preventing people who live in a Level 3 or Level 4 area from travelling outside their local authority except for an essential purpose will also come into force. (17 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – new local authority protection measures in force from 6am on Monday 2 November. (29 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Autumn Budget Revision for 2020-21, outlining further funding allocations. COVID-19 spending reaches £6.5bn. (24 September 2020)
• UK chief medical officers – joint statement recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 3 to level 4. (21 September 2020)
• Scottish Government – launch of the Protect Scotland app (10 September 2020)
• Scottish Parliament – daily list of COVID-19 related parliamentary questions and answers. Parliamentary questions can be asked by an MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to obtain factual and statistical information.
• gov.uk – Key pieces of coronavirus legislation (regularly updated)
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) – latest data and analysis on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK and its effect on the economy and society (regularly updated)
• Public Health Scotland – COVID-19 statistics (updated daily)

Business & Industry (including business support, employment, retail, consumer rights, and utilities )

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government – changes to the definition of essential retailers, with homeware stores and garden centres now being classed as non-essential. (22 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – recovery plan for the manufacturing sector, focussing on four priority areas: collaboration and networks, supply chains and competitiveness, adaptation and transformation, and skills and workforce. (4 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for call centres and customer contact centre environments (26 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on Scotland’s Strategic Framework: Business Closures. (12 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance for the retail sector, including close contact services such as hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons. (9 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – Mandatory wearing of face coverings in workplace canteens from 16 October, and in corridors and social spaces from 19 October (15 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for retail, tourism and hospitality customers. (9 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on creating and maintaining safer workplaces. (31 August 2020)
• Competition and Markets Authority – further detail on its views on the law in relation to cancellations and refunds during the COVID-19 pandemic (28 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – manufacturing sector guidance (20 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – general guidance for safer workplaces (17 August 2020)
• Scottish Government, STUC, SCVO, COSLA, IoD and SCDI – revised fair work statement, underlining the collaborative approach needed between employers, unions and workers to ensure workplaces can operate safely during COVID-19 (19 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – construction sector guidance (15 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for small and micro businesses (13 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on alcohol and civic licensing. (7 April 2020)
• UK Government – Guidance for Employees(updated regularly)
• UK Government – Guidance for Employers and businesses(updated regularly)
• Money Advice Service – provides free and impartial advice on Coronavirus and looks at rights to sick pay, what benefits you can claim if you’re self-employed or not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• NEW! Scottish Government – Funding to help vulnerable young people across Scotland into work (16 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – top-up, one off grants for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions. These grants are in addition to payments from the Strategic Framework Business Fund. (11 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Strategic Framework Business Fund (31 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Additional £48 million funding for level 4 changes (27 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £104.3 million package of support for the tourism and hospitality sector in the new year (21 December 2020)
• UK Government – The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended until 30 April 2021 (17 December 2020)
• UK Government – The Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme have been extended until 31 March 2021 (17 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £185 million package of coronavirus (COVID-19) support for businesses, including specific support for close contact services, taxi drivers, travel agents, coach and tour operators, visitor attractions and the wedding sector. (9 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Scottish Wholesale Food and Drink Resilience Fund to help wholesale food and drink businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Applications must be submitted by 23:59 on Sunday 13 December 2020.(5 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £15 million Apprenticeship Employer Grant to provide funding for employers taking or upskilling an apprentice. (1 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Pathway Apprenticeships – part of the Youth Guarantee – to offer 26 weeks of training with a £100 weekly allowance. (1 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £11.8 million in funding towards helping businesses to adopt digital technologies and improve their digital capability. (30 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – the second phase of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund is open to applications from 16 November 2020. The fund helps businesses invest in their workforce and is available for all of Scotland’s employers who are subject to the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. (13 November 2020)
• UK Government – extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of March 2021, and an increase in value of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants. (5 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – Phase 1 of the COVID-19 Contingency Fund – nightclubs and soft play centres that have been closed by law since March will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £50,000. (27 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – new system of grants for businesses as part of the strategic framework. Based on rateable values, awards will be for either £2,000 or £3,000 for businesses required to close (23 October 2020)
• UK Government – increased financial support through the Job Support and self-employed schemes (22 October 2020)
• Scottish Government –  the National Transition Training Fund is open to anyone aged 25 or over who is unemployed, economically inactive or at risk of unemployment due to the impact of Covid-19. (8 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – the £10m Clyde Mission Fund, provides capital funding available for projects in the Clyde Mission area that support economic and infrastructure developments, and improvements to buildings, facilities and the environment (27 September. 2020)
• UK Government – the Winter Economy Plan outlines additional government support to businesses and workers across the UK, including a 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors, and help for businesses in repaying government-backed loans. (25 September 2020)
• Scottish Government – Fair Start Scotland extended to March 2023 as part of a package of support designed to help young people get into work. (16 July 2020)
• Find Business Support (FBS) – a one-stop-shop for business advice relating to COVID-19
• Business Gateway – provides regularly updated help for business owners and their to employees find information on how to deal with concerns about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace
• Federation of Small Businesses – for regularly updated advice for small businesses
• Scottish Government COVID-19 Strategic Framework Business Support Funding Statistics:18 Dec 2020
• Scottish Government Strategic Framework: business support funding statistics – 15 January 2021
• Scottish Government COVID-19 Business Support Funding Statistics (circuit breaker):18 Dec 2020
• Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): business support fund grant statistics (updated regularly)

Culture & Sport

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government – guidance for cinemas and drive-in cinemas (3 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – events sector guidance (3 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for the performing arts and venues sector (10 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities. (30 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on film and TV production (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government – guidance on sport and leisure facilities. (30 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for museums, galleries and heritage attractions (6 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for creative studios and shared workspaces. (30 June 2020)
• SportScotland – latest sport and physical activity guidance, including guidance on what constitutes contact and non-contact sports (updated regularly)
• Sporting Life – list of returning sports across the world, including football, rugby, darts, cricket, tennis and golf (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• NEW! Scottish Government – £3 million additional funding for Aberdeen Performing Arts, Eden Court Highlands and Capital Theatres (17 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – additional £7.1 million in funding for grassroots music venues and independent museums. (20 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Emergency grants worth £11.35 million to support football clubs below Premiership level. The grants will be administered by the Scottish FA. (19 December 2020)
• Creative Scotland – Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance
• Scottish Government – £55 million emergency sports funding package to tackle lost ticket revenue during the pandemic. (10 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Scottish Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare Fund (10 September 2020)
• Scottish Government – emergency funding for the culture and heritage sectors (28 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – support package for the National Trust for Scotland (16 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – £10 million funding package to support the recovery of the events sector from COVID-19. (26 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – £4 million Museums Resilience and Recovery Fund administered by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS). (25 July 2020)
• UK Government – £1.57 billion investment for cultural, arts and heritage institutions(5 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues(3 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – funding package agreed for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (12 June 2020)
• Creative Scotland – A-Z of funding and resources for the creative sector, including guidance on applying for all open funds. (regularly updated)

Education (including childcare)

Early learning and Childcare

• Scottish Government – Childcare provision guidance for January 2021 (7 January 2021)
• Scottish Government announce the expansion of funded early learning and childcare from August 2021. The expansion was originally intended for August 2020 but was paused in April to give local authorities the flexibility to focus on responding to the coronavirus pandemic. (14 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Nursery rate relief to be extended until 2023. (4 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on early learning and childcare (ELC) services. (30 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on organised activities for children, including parent and toddler groups (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government – nationwide survey for education staff in schools or early learning centresto help identify the proportion of people working in an education setting who have had COVID-19. (2 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance for residential children’s houses, residential schools, secure care, and residential respite/short break facilities on staffing, social distancing and self-isolation. (2 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for childminder services. (1 June 2020)

Schools

• NEW! Scottish Government – school re-opening arrangements for January 2021 (21 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – guidance for teachers and families to support remote learning in schools published. (8 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – updated guidance on arrangements for the phased reopening of schools in January 2021 (21 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Higher and Advanced Higher exams will not go ahead and will be replaced with awards based on teacher judgement of evidence of pupils’ attainment. (8 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Christmas and New Year school holiday dates are to remain as planned. (3 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – evidence paper on COVID-19 transmission, risks and absences in schools. (18 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on reducing the risks in schools. (30 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – plans for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to go ahead in 2021, while National 5 exams will be replaced by a system where grades are awarded based on coursework and teacher judgement. (7 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – nationwide survey for education staff in schools or early learning centres to help identify the proportion of people working in an education setting who have had COVID-19. (2 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance for residential children’s houses, residential schools, secure care, and residential respite/short break facilities on staffing, social distancing and self-isolation. (2 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance on preparing for the start of the new school term in August 2020 – version 2 (25 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – advice for local authorities and schools on Gaelic medium issues to incorporate into their education recovery planning (24 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for local authorities and education appeal committees on temporary arrangements for placing requests and appeal hearings due to COVID-19(8 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance for teachers and other professional practitioners in preparing their curriculum offer for and during the Recovery Phase. (5 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance to help support continuity in children and young people’s learning in Term 4, following the closure of schools in March 2020. (20 April 2020)

Higher and Further Education

• Scottish Government – university students will be taught online throughout January and February, with the vast majority not expected back on campuses until the start of March. (8 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Interim report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fair access to higher education (30 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – staggered return to campus for university students over at least six weeks, along with a package of additional measures to help reduce transmission of COVID-19. (8 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for students travelling home at the end of term.Students will be able to take voluntary coronavirus tests through their college or university from Monday 30 November. (25 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for students living away from home explaining how restrictions on social gatherings apply, as well as plans for the end of term 2020. (25 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for universities, colleges and student accommodation providers(11 September 2020)
• Scottish Government – guidance for the community learning and development sector (31 July 2020)

Funding announcements

• NEW! Scottish Government – Funding of £1 million for childminders who have been financially impacted by the pandemic (21 January 2021)
• NEW! Scottish Government – support to childcare sector (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government – package of funding worth £45m for local authorities to provide help for schools and private and third sector day care of children settings. (13 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – new £1 million children’s winter clothing fund for Nurseries and other Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings. (22 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – An additional £5 million is being made available to students (through the Discretionary Fund) who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19. (23 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £750,000 for student associations to assist with welfare advice on campuses. (11 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – additional £1.32m funding for mental health support for students. (6 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – £15 million funding package to respond to children and young people’s mental health issues, with a focus on those brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. (2 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – £2 million support package for residential outdoor education centres. (22 October 2020)
• Universities Scotland – package of ten measures designed to support student wellbeing.(30 September 2020)
• Scottish Government – mental health support for school staff as part of a £1.5 million funding package. (13 September 2020)
• UK Government – investment in Covid research at St Andrews University(11 September 2020)
• UK Government – investment of £8.4 million in COVID-19 immunology research projects across the UK, including the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee.(28 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – ring-fenced funding of £50 million to recruit approximately 850 extra teachers and 200 additional support staff to assist in the reopening of schools. (23 July 2020)
• Scottish Government – £27.6m for the extension of free school meals over the summer. (16 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – £11.4m of discretionary funds to support higher education students in financial difficulty. (11 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – £159,000 given to Living Classrooms to expand their Virtual Nature School programme. (29 May 2020)
• Scottish Government – £75 million increase in funding for Scotland’s universities to protect their research programmes. (6 May 2020)
• Scottish Government – £250 million of funding to close the poverty-related attainment gap and aid learning during the pandemic. (1 May 2020)
• Scottish Government – £5m package of emergency hardship payments for students (8 April 2020)

Environment & Energy

News and guidance

• Scottish Government – guidance for the onshore wind industry (31 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – £62 million Energy Transition Fund announced to help the energy sector recover from the dual economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the oil and gas price crash. (12 June 2020)
• Energy Saving Trust – advice for home heating and energy use by people staying home to work or to avoid picking up COVID-19. (17 March 2020)

Health & Social Care

Information and Guidance for patients

• NEW! Scottish Government – Vaccination information campaign (launched 21 January 2021)
• NEW! Scottish Government – Right Care, Right Place – a guide to NHS Scotland services (18 January 2021)
• UK Government – NHS patients to receive life-saving COVID-19 treatments that could cut hospital time by 10 days. Results from the government-funded REMAP-CAP clinical trial show tocilizumab and sarilumab reduced the relative risk of death by 24%, when administered to patients within 24 hours of entering intensive care. (7 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Coronavirus testing will be available from two fire stations in Thurso and Lochgilphead between 6 and 29 January, as part of a trial to increase testing access in remote and rural areas. (5 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Adult care home visitor testing guidance (1 January 2021)
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the UK (30 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Community testing in areas with high coronavirus (COVID-19) prevalence will begin in January 2021 (23 December 2020)
• Scottish Government announce the opening of the first of three regional laboratory hubs set up to increase Scotland’s testing capacity. (15 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – First vaccinations in care homes in Scotland have taken place (14 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Visiting arrangements for hospitals and care homes in Scotland will remain in place over the Christmas and New Year period (11 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – The self-isolation period for positive contacts and overseas arrivals will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days, starting from Monday, 14 December 2020 (11 December 2020)

• Scottish Government – First vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme (8 December 2020)
• NHS Inform guidance on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government – Lateral flow testing of designated visitors to be trialled in 14 care homes in North Ayrshire, Fife, Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, and Aberdeenshire (6 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Changes to the way patients access emergency hospital treatment. Anyone with a non-life threatening condition who would usually go to A&E should now call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service (3 December 2020)
• UK Government  – The vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been authorised by the medicines regulator for use in the UK (2 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Scotland’s first Community Asymptomatic Test (CAT) site opened in Johnstone, Renfrewshire (2 December 2020)

• Scottish Government guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government information and support for people who are asked to self-isolate (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government shielding advice and support (updated regularly)

• Scottish Government advice for people with specific medical conditions (17 July 2020)

• NHS Inform guidance on immunisation services and national screening programmes (updated regularly)

• Scottish Government consultation on extending the current arrangements for early medical abortion at home; the consultation will run from 30 September until 5 January 2021

• Scottish Government hospital visiting guidance (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance on care home visiting (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance on the public use of face coverings (updated regularly)

• Scottish Government Vitamin D: advice for all age groups (1 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Mental health – transition and recovery plan (8 October 2020)
• Scottish Government Clear Your Head campaign; provides advice and support to help people cope during COVID-19
• Scottish Government helpline for vulnerable people

• Age Scotland advice for older people and their families on how to avoid exposure to the virus (updated regularly)
• NHS Inform guidance on healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland (updated regularly)
• NHS Inform guidance on healthcare for overseas visitors (updated regularly)

Information and Guidance for health and social care professionals

• NEW! Scottish Government – Information and guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme (updated regularly)
• NEW! Scottish Government – Guidance on coronavirus testing for the care at home sector (15 January 2021)
• NEW! Scottish Government – Independent hospitals to support elective care (19 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – Letter from the Chief Medical Officer on the arrangements for the COVID-19 vaccination programme (1 January 2021)
• UK Chief Medical Officers – Statement on the prioritisation of first doses of the coronavirus vaccines (30 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £500 payment for health and social care staff – questions and answers (23 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – new app for health and care home staff carrying out coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations to provide rapid access to relevant patient information and collect data on how many people have received the vaccination. (20 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – Guidance on financial support arrangements for social care providers for costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2020 to March 2021 (16 December 2020)

• Scottish Government – Everyone Matters Pulse Survey of health and social care staff in Scotland (4 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – plans for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines (19 November 2020)

• Scottish Government clinical guidance for health and social care professionals (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance on the routine testing of healthcare workers (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government hospital visiting guidance (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance on care home visiting (updated regularly)
• Health Protection Scotland information and guidance for care home settings (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for unpaid carers (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government information on PPE access for social care providers and unpaid carers (updated regularly)

• Scottish Government – Care Home Review (A rapid review of factors relevant to the management of COVID-19 in the care home environment in Scotland) (3 November 2020)

• Scottish Government – COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Plan (28 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Mental health needs of hospitalised patients – report (2 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Framework for the recovery of cancer surgery (25 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – Framework for supporting people through Recovery and Rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic (13 August 2020)
• Scottish Government – Mobilisation of key clinical services (19 June 2020)

• Scottish Government – Report on Personal Protective Equipment supplies (4 June 2020)
• Scottish Government – ‘Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland’; Sets out how health boards will safely and incrementally prioritise the resumption of some paused services, while maintaining COVID-19 capacity and resilience (31 May 2020)

• Scottish Government – Care home staffing and escalation resources (updated regularly)
• British Medical Association guidance for doctors on the impact of coronavirus on work, training, education, and wellbeing as a medical professional (updated regularly)
• Royal College of Nursing frequently asked questions for nursing and midwifery staff (updated regularly)
• British Dental Association – Live updates: Coronavirus and dentistry

Funding and Support

• NEW! Scottish Government – £750,000 investment in local carer centres to increase support for unpaid carers (18 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – £500 bonus for health and social care staff (30 November 2020)

• UK Government – Free visa extensions for health workers (20 November 2020)

• Scottish Government – £1 million funding for digital devices to keep care home residents connected (16 November 2020)

• Scottish Government – Adult Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan (3 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – Additional funding for ambulances and staff (1 November 2020)
• Scottish Government – NHS Winter Preparedness Plan to support health and care services over the winter (28 October 2020)
• Scottish Government – Additional funding for the health and social care sector to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic response and winter preparations (29 September 2020)

• Scottish Government – Social Care Staff Support Fund for social care workers who are ill or self-isolating due to coronavirus (30 June 2020)

• Scottish Government – Extra financial support for social care workers (24 May 2020)

• Scottish Government – Families of frontline NHS staff who die as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) will receive financial support (29 April 2020)
• National Wellbeing Hub for health and social services workers
• Scottish Government – Health and Social Care Workforce Mental Wellbeing Support Helpline

Housing and Planning

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government temporary ban on eviction orders will be extended until the end of March (7 January 2021)
• Scottish Government temporary ban on evictions (3 December 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for social landlords (14 April 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for private landlords and letting agents (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government advice and support for private tenants (7 August 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance on moving home (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government second homes guidance (updated regularly)
• Shelter Scotland housing advice (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance notes for planning and environmental appeals reporters (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• Scottish Government £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund to help people who have had their finances or employment impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and do not have other means of housing support. (7 December 2020)
• Scottish Government initiatives to support homebuyers – raising the threshold at which Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is paid from £145,000 to £250,000 and additional funding for the First Home Fund (9 July 2020)
• Scottish Government one-year extension to the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme (11 June 2020)

Justice

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service – changes to criminal court practices to reduce transmission of coronavirus, which will reduce the overall number of criminal trials taking place during lockdown by up to 75%. (11 January 2021)
• Scottish Government guidance on domestic abuse (13 July 2020)
• Scottish Government report on domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls – 30/3/20-22/05/20 (19 June 2020)
• Scottish Government report on domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls during Phases 1, 2 and 3 of Scotland’s route map (22 May to 11 August 2020) (18 September 2020)
• Scottish Government report on domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls during Phase 3 of Scotland’s route map (11 August – 11 October) (5 November 2020)
• Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service information and updates on business changes (updated regularly)
• Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service information for those due to attend court (updated regularly)
• Scottish Prison Service announcements and statistics on numbers of prison population self-isolating and those who have tested positive for COVID-19 (updated regularly)
• Families Outside information and guidance for prison visits (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• Scottish Government – package of support of up to £20m for the legal profession, including a resilience fund of up to £9 million of grants available to support legal aid solicitors and Law Centres who have had a loss of legal aid income due to Covid. (22 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – opening of the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, to support organisations and projects that work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). Applications will close on 31 March 2021. (7 December 2020)
• Scottish Government funding for charities and projects tackling violence against women and girls (20 September 2020)
• Scottish Government funding for organisations providing support to women involved in prostitution (17 May 2020)
• Scottish Government Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support fund (24 April 2020)

Parliament & Government

Legislation

• Coronavirus Act 2020
• Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
• Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020
• Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/344)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/169)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Persons Travelling to Scotland) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/170)

Scottish Government Action

• First Minister’s updates and statements
• Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) advisory groups
• Scottish Government Coronavirus Acts: first report to Scottish Parliament (9 June 2020)
• Scottish Government Coronavirus Acts: second report to Scottish Parliament (11 August 2020)
• Scottish Government Coronavirus Acts: third report to Scottish Parliament (6 October 2020)
• Scottish Government Coronavirus Acts: Fourth Report to Scottish Parliament (9 December 2020)
• Scottish Government Programme for Government 2020-21 (1 September 2020)

Scottish Parliament Action

• Scottish Parliament list of COVID-19 related parliamentary questions and answers. Parliamentary questions can be asked by an MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to obtain factual and statistical information (updated regularly)
• Scottish Parliament COVID-19 Committee work
• Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee COVID-19 work

People & Communities (including charities, third sector and volunteering)

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government – Coronavirus information and available services, including helpline numbers to assist older people (15 December 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for wedding ceremonies and civil partnership registrations (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for places of worship (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for funeral services (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for funeral directors (25 November 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for burial and cremation authorities (30 October 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for public libraries (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for the community learning and development sector (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for community food-growing spaces (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for household waste recycling centres (11 August 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance for local authorities to support people to access food and other essentials, including those isolating under test and protect (15 July 2020)
• Scottish Government framework to support gypsy/traveller communities (25 June 2020)
• UK Government guidance for the charity sector (updated regularly)
• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub
• Volunteer Scotland information for volunteers and organisations
• Ready Scotland guidance on giving and finding help during the coronavirus pandemic, preparing for winter weather, and forming community groups
• Scottish Government analysis of COVID-19 impacts on different groups of the population

• UK Government Covid fraud hotline – enables people to report suspected fraudulent use of coronavirus support schemes anonymously and free of charge

Funding and Support

• Scottish Government – £5.91 million for tackling social isolation and loneliness. Part of the £100 million winter package, the funding will support services such as wellbeing calls, befriending networks, advice and volunteering. (11 December 2020)
• Scottish Government – £3.3m for Charities working with children and families on low incomes. Nine charities will receive funding to support their work, or to distribute to grass-roots organisations to help meet the needs of those affected by poverty at Christmas and in the new year. (10 December 2020)
• Scottish Government community funding digital maps
• Scottish Government £100 million Winter Support Fund to help communities at risk (announced 30 November 2020)
• Scottish Government funding for services delivering mental health support to veterans (17 November 2020)
• Scottish Government funding for organisations supporting people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) (16 November 2020)
• Scottish Government Connecting Scotland programme – provides iPads, Chromebooks and support to develop digital skills for people who are digitally excluded and on low incomes (a second round of applications for Phase 2 opened on 24th November)

• Scottish Government – Further funding for councils to provide free school meals through the winter breaks and additional flexibility to use £20 million, previously held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support people in their communities (20 October 2020)

Rural Affairs

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government advice for pet owners and livestock keepers (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government general guidance for farmers and crofters (updated regularly)
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency temporary regulatory positions and guidance (updated regularly)

• Scottish Natural Heritage guidance on access to the outdoors during the coronavirus outbreak

• NFU support and intelligence for farm based businesses
• Lantra Scotland Skills Matching Service to put rural and land-based businesses and potential employees with relevant skills in and experience in touch with each other during COVID-19
• Farmers Guardian covering of COVID-19 impacts on UK agriculture

Funding and Support

• Scottish Government £1m funding for the Scottish Nephrops Working Group to investigate the scale of the challenges to the langoustine sector and to support the sector during the coronavirus pandemic. (7 November 2020)
• Scottish Government Rural Payments – Overview of schemes (updated regularly)

Social Security

Information and Guidance

• Scottish Government update on delivery timeline for devolved benefits (17 November 2020)
• Department for Work & Pensions advice on employment and claiming benefits (updated regularly)
• Child Poverty Action Group briefings on changes to benefits (updated regularly)
• Entitledto guide to what help is available from benefits if you are affected by coronavirus (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• Scottish Government COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child)
• Scottish Government Self-Isolation Support Grant. The Grant is administered by local authorities through the Scottish Welfare Fund. Eligibility for the Grant now includes parents on low incomes whose children are asked to self-isolate and people who may be eligible for Universal Credit but have not yet applied. (30 November 2020)
• Scottish Government £100 million Winter support fund to help communities at risk (30 November 2020)

Transport, Travel & Tourism

Information and Guidance

• NEW! Scottish Government – Scottish Tourism Taskforce recommendations: Scottish Government response (20 January 2021)
• NEW! Scottish Government – Travel corridors suspended (15 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – additional restrictions imposed on all arrivals from South America, Portugal, Panama, Cabo Verde and the Falkland Islands. Travellers who have been in any of these countries or territories in the 10 days prior to their arrival in Scotland must isolate, along with all members of their household. No exemptions from isolation will apply. (14 January 2021)
• Scottish Government – From 0400 on Friday 15 January 2021, passengers travelling to Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must have a valid negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than three days before the scheduled time of departure. (12 January 2021)
• Scottish Government guidance on travel and transport, including information on essential travel (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance on international travel and quarantine (updated regularly)
• UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office foreign travel advice (updated regularly)
• Transport Scotland guidance on travelling safely (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government Mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport (22 June)
• Scottish Government tourism and hospitality sector guidance (updated regularly)
• Scottish Government guidance for campsites, holiday parks, caravan sites, motorhome hire businesses and their users (22 July 2020)
• Competition and Markets Authority open letter to all businesses involved in organising package holidays for UK consumers(10 July 2020)
• Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations for supporting the tourism sector’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (23 October 2020)
• Scottish Government guidance on driving and motorcycle lessons (updated regularly)
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency guidance for driving instructors and motorcycle trainers (updated regularly)
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency guidance for driving theory tests (updated regularly)
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency guidance for driving tests (updated regularly)

Funding and Support

• NEW! Scottish Government – Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund (19 January 2021)
• VisitScotland Events Recovery Fund
• VisitScotland summary of financial support for tourism and events businesses (updated regularly)