Business leaders welcome winding-down of Scottish Covid laws

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is a monumental moment for Scotland’s business community who will be greatly relieved to see the publication of the Scottish Government’s updated Covid-19 Strategic Framework.

“The removal of mandatory vaccine certification from 28th February followed by the expected removal of all other remaining legal measures on the 21st March will give Scotland’s economy a significant boost, drive up confidence and allow businesses to finally begin to trade again unencumbered.

“Businesses have invested millions throughout the course of the pandemic to keep their customers and employees safe. It’s therefore positive to see the Scottish Government put their trust back in businesses to manage the health and safety of workplace environments as Scotland adjusts to living and working alongside the virus.

“The new framework provides greatly improved clarity for businesses about the future of restrictions and will allow them to plan ahead now with increased confidence, however, without clear and definitive triggers, business will be concerned about what restrictions may be reimposed if another variant is to pose a significant threat.

“This updated framework should mark the end of a difficult chapter for Scottish businesses and give Scotland’s economy an improved shot at recovery, renewal and growth.”

Meanwhile, Andrew McRae, policy chair for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland, said: “The lifting of the remaining covid rules will be a weight off the shoulders of Scotland’s small business community.

“While the First Minister outlined her government’s continued caution, she also spelled out a desire to return to a more normal way of life. That ambition to get back to business is something that Scotland’s local and independent firms share.

“However, the hard work to get local economies moving needs to start now. Ministers need to inject confidence as well as roll-out vaccines.

“With a new economic strategy in the pipeline, we’d urge Ministers to ensure that the local firms and self-employed people that gave up so much are at the centre of their plans. And local authorities and the Scottish Government must work together to ensure that cash aimed at recovery reaches the real economy.

“The document published today also outlines scenarios where covid rules could return. We’d ask decision-makers to recognise the damage this crisis has already done to Scotland’s business community before re-imposing tough restrictions.”