EASING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS – MOVING TO PHASE 2
People who are shielding are now able to leave their home for exercise and to meet with one other household outdoors (max eight people in total) with physical distancing. People who are shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing etc.
People who are not shielding can now meet with more households outside. The limit increased from meeting one other household to meeting two households; eight-person overall limit and need for physical distancing remains. They can also use toilets indoors while visiting the outdoors of another household. (Hygiene measures are essential.)
People living alone or single people who live with their children can ‘bubble up’ with another household to create an extended household and act without social distancing as if they were living together. This includes non-cohabiting couples.
From Monday 22nd June:
Face coverings are mandatory on public transport.
Places of worship can re-open for individual prayer or contemplation.
Professional sport can resume – with public health restrictions remaining in place.
Dental practices can re-open to see patients with urgent care needs.
Construction sector can implement remaining phases of sectoral plan.
College and university staff can return to make essential preparations for restart later.
Accommodation can be provided for those required to stay away from home for work purposes.
From Monday 29th June:
Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented. Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.
Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres / malls remain closed for non-essential shops.
Outdoor markets can re-open.
Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.
Outdoor sports courts can re-open.
Playgrounds can re-open.
Registration offices open for high priority tasks.
SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE
Willie has raised the issue schooling and childcare in parliament three times this week as he is concerned that parents are being asked to return to work without childcare being available. He wants the routemap to be joined up. There is also pressure to return to full time school because children a losing out on education but we only favour a return when it is safe to do so.
Fife Council has set out its plans for the 11th August reopening of schools. It is using the ‘blended model’ with pupils only in school for one or two days a week.
This is the first exchange with the First Minister on childcare and schooling.
This is the second exchange this week with the First Minister on childcare and schooling.
RECYCLING CENTRES
Ladybank Household Waste Recycling Centre will be available for bookings on Monday 22nd June for appointments from Wednesday 24th onward. That means only Cupar recycling centre remains closed in North East Fife. We are pressing for it to reopen.
Wendy challenged the UK Government on the merger of the International Development department with the Foreign Office.
COUNCIL HOUSE REPAIRS
In preparation for the return of housing repairs, the council’s repair centre will be contacting tenants who had previously reported routine repairs before the 23rd of March 2020 to find out whether these repairs are still required. Please continue to report emergency repairs online at www.fife.gov.uk/reportit
SUMMER FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Children eligible for free school meals will continue to be supported over the summer.
There is a new emergency funding support package worth £2.6 million for zoos and aquariums. This is something that Willie and Wendy have been lobbying government to deliver. It should be good news for St. Andrews Aquarium.
COMMUNITY MUTUAL AID
These are the links to their Facebook groups and websites. If you need help with groceries, medicine collection etc please contact them.
Please do let me know whether you are running a group in your community.
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we wanted you to know that Wendy Chamberlain MP, Willie Rennie MSP our local councillors are ready to help in whatever way that we can.
