12 June 2020 - First Minister of Scotland's plan to restart the economy
Scotland's lockdown could be eased soon after deaths diminish
Severin Carrell (The Guardian, 08/06/2020)
Nicola Sturgeon has signalled that Scotland’s strict lockdown regulations could be eased more quickly after the country recorded no Covid-19 deaths in the last two days.
The first minister is under growing pressure to relax the lockdown rules and allow more businesses to reopen, with prominent hoteliers and retailers warning that their businesses could fold, causing heavy job losses.
‘Unprecedented blow’ to Scottish economy from coronavirus crisis
Ian McConnell (The Herald, 08/06/2020)
Scottish private-sector economic output continued to plummet in May amid the coronavirus crisis and associated lockdown restrictions, although at a slower rate than in April, and companies shed staff at a rapid pace, a key survey shows.
Royal Bank of Scotland’s latest PMI (purchasing managers’ index) report also shows the contraction in the economy north of the Border was the second-sharpest among the 12 nations and regions of the UK in May.
Nicola Sturgeon gives green light for construction industry reopening
Conor Marlborough (The Scotsman, 11/06/2020)
Nicola Sturgeon has announced today that the construction industry in Scotland is able to move into the next stage of its reopening plan.
Speaking at her daily briefing, the First Minister said the construction sector was always expected to move to the next stage during the first phase, insisting that that it did not constitute a change to the Scottish Government’s route map.
Workers will now gradually be able to return to construction sites, while hand hygiene and social distancing measures are adhered to.
Coronavirus: Scottish tourism sector could reopen on 15 July
(BBC News, 10/06/2020)
Scotland's tourism businesses, including pubs, hotels and restaurants, have been told to prepare to reopen on 15 July.
Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing said the date was conditional on moving to the third phase of the route map for easing lockdown restrictions.
Announcing a new taskforce, he said businesses needed clarity to be able to plan for reopening.
But he warned the date may change if the evidence on Covid-19 requires it.