Published on: 18 June 2020
British Marine Scotland welcomes the move towards further easing of lockdown measures which was announced earlier today.
Moving into Phase 2
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stated that the Scottish Government is now moving to Phase 2 of the Routemap through and out of the crisis. However, changes in Phase 2 will be introduced in stages rather than all at once. Details of today’s announcement are available here along with an updated Routemap showing the changes in Phase 2 and the relevant dates. Elements included in today’s announcement include:
- People should continue to stay in their local area (broadly within five miles) as much as possible and should not travel further for leisure or recreation
- Indoor, non-office workplaces, such as factories, may reopen from 29 June (following relevant guidance)
- Street-access retail can reopen from 29 June (following relevant guidance). Interiors of shopping malls/centres remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3
- Reopening for pubs and restaurants using outdoor spaces will be further reviewed and an update will be provided in two weeks
- Wearing of face coverings will become mandatory on public transport from 22 June.
For boating communities, Phase 2 doesn’t yet extend to current on water activities or cruising ranges but it is another step on the path. As Scotland progress forward through the Routemap, it will remain important for marine businesses to continue to keep staff, customers and local communities informed of restrictions and plans for changes to business operations, services and facilities. Physical distancing and hygiene rules will continue and customers should be reminded of this. Customers should also be reminded of the need to be well prepared for their return to boating and to thoroughly check their boats, machinery, fuel and safety gear before venturing out onto the water.
Coordinating across the sector
Throughout this crisis, British Marine Scotland has liaised closely with RYA Scotland to ensure a consistent message to businesses and boating communities and we urge member businesses to stay up-to-date with RYA Scotland guidance to boaters. We anticipate this may be updated tomorrow.
Helping you plan
British Marine continues to provide assistance to members through this difficult time and information and guidance on the British Marine website and COVID-19 Hub being updated daily to keep members as informed as possible. Whilst the announcement today does not allow certain business operations to resume yet, it does give confidence that progress is being made through the Routemap (and Scotland's tourism industry has been given the provisional date of 15 July for reopening). As plans for re-opening develop - please remember resources are available to help. British Marine has produced guidance for different sectors within the marine industries – five sector guides are available now with further two to follow and each will be reviewed and updated as we progress forward and lockdown eases. Guides available to date include:
For members wishing to stay up-to-date with the latest developments on COVID-19, please visit our dedicated Coronavirus Hub.