Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues, we will endeavour to keep this page updated. We will be sending out regular newsletters and we would urge you to sign up to our mailing list here if you have not already.

RECENT NEWSLETTERS TO INDUSTRY

• Wednesday 18th March 2020
• Wednesday 25th March 2020
• Friday 3rd April 2020

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FAQS

Is it OK still to take bookings?

Not for arrivals for the next 2-3 months, at least.  Scottish Government issued very firm guidance at the weekend to avoid non-essential travel to the Scottish islands. It has instructed Calmac to control access to the ferries in the weeks ahead to islanders, freight or those with an essential travel need. This is principally to avoid inadvertently introducing the virus to an island community as well as helping to minimise any burden on healthcare resources. Like other parts of the country, bars and restaurants have been required to close.
 
The guidance instructs most accommodation businesses to close, along with bars and restaurants. The full guidance is here, as well as details of a limited number of exceptions.
There is no official end-date to this guidance, but other guidance is in place for 12 weeks, so it is hard to see it being lifted before the end of June.  Sombre, though it may be, I think we have to face the very real possibility that Covid-19 may impact our entire 2020 season. 
 
This guidance is reflected on our website and on the VisitScotland site.  Christina even did a video (link below) for national news, which does a rather good job of getting the message across.  There should be no doubt – but we still get emails from visitors wanting to travel.  We struggle to understand how people have not yet heard the “Don’t come” message.
 
Visit Scotland
Scottish Gov
Christina's Video

What do I do about deposits/prepayments?

he decision on deposits has to be one for individual businesses, based on their own Terms & Conditions, their relationship with the guest and the date of the booking.
The government announcement has made the situation more complex, as to whether the business is withdrawing the service or the guest is unable to travel.
We are encouraging people wherever possible to roll-over bookings to 2021 and this seems to be acceptable to many visitors. It does place a burden on the business, but alleviates the immediate cash crunch.
We would ask businesses to show as much goodwill as possible, although we appreciate it is a complex decision with many factors to take into account.

What Government Support is Available to Me?

The help is split into four main sections.
 
Business Support Grants
 
Businesses with a rateable value below £18,000 qualify for a business support grant of £10,000 and businesses in tourism and hospitality with rateable values between £18,000 and £51,000 qualify for a grant of £25,000.  CnES are now ready to accept applications for the Business Support Grants announced by the Scottish Government last week. Simply complete the form attached in this link.
 
 
Job Retention Scheme
 
The Government will pay up to 80% of the cost of any workers who would otherwise have been laid off due to Coronavirus, for three months up to a cap of £2500 pcm.  These employees are “furloughed” rather than laid off.
More info here.
 
Tax Payment Holidays
 
All hospitality and tourism businesses should be receiving 100% relief from businesses rates for 12 months.  In addition, the Chancellor has announced deferral schemes for PAYE and VAT.
 
Business Loan Guarantee Schemes
 
These are administered by the Banks (unless you have annual turnover above £45m).  The government guarantee enables the lender to ignore Coronavirus impacts in its assessment.  Responsibility for repaying the loan remains the responsibility of the company – so it is making credit cheaper and easier to get than it would be otherwise, but the government is not paying directly for the loan, which can be for amounts up to £5m
 
This support does not cover everyone in our industry.  Many B&Bs still form part of the domestic property valuations, so are excluded.  We are also still waiting for the Government to announce a support package for those who are self-employed.  This is expected very soon, but it has been expected very soon for some time.  In the absence of that, the self-employed are dependent on the benefit system for support.  
More info here.

If you have questions about your business, Scottish Enterprise COVID-19 Business Support helpline  on 0300 303 0660 provides businesses with advice and guidance. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, between 8.30am to 5.30pm.

How Can I help Island Businesses?

Coronavirus is making us think about all the local food options that exist in the Outer Hebrides and how locals can access it.  A website is being set up to list local producers and where you can order or get their produce.  We want to support these developments, especially in such difficult times for everyone, and have provided the Eat Drink Hebrides designs and name for them to use.  The list will be held separate from the existing Eat Drink Hebrides Trail, at www.eatdrinkhebrides.org.uk. We think this is a great initiative to support and hope you will support it and encourage others to do the same

We are suggesting people buy something online, and many island businesses – from the Outer Hebrides and elsewhere are listing themselves on Isle20, so we are promoting that in our communications, as something people can do to support island businesses.  You may want to get yourself listed and/or share on your channels.

What Else is Outer Hebrides Tourism Doing

Based on feedback from members, we are trying to make progress on six key topics:

1. Getting the cash flowing.  Today was meant to be a big day, with the opening of applications for business grants, but the decision over self-catering has left a bitter taste
2. Filling gaps. Many of our B&Bs are not listed for business rates and are missing out on support too.  The other major gap that needs filling is the self-employed.  Anyone who isn’t employed or registered for business rates is missing out
3. Keeping up pressure on insurance companies to act responsibly and avoid wriggling out of their business protection policies
4. Making sure HIE has the resources to help businesses through these challenges by reversing its recent budget cuts
5. Ensuring that everyone is aware of where they can access emotional and mental health support
6. Getting the Scottish Enterprise helpline up to a scale where it can cope with demand

The first one has a high-profile at the moment, but much is going on in the background with the others.  We remain fully integrated with the Scottish Tourism Alliance, who are talking on behalf of the industry to Government.  Our next discussion with the Tourism Minister is today.

What advice is there for cleaning and disinfecting an area?

Health Protection Scotland have issued the following advice for cleaning and disinfecting an area once a possible case has left your premises:

The room/area where the person was placed/isolated should remain out of use until it has been cleaned with detergent and disinfectant. Once this process has been completed, the room/area can be put back into use.

Any public areas where a symptomatic individual has only passed through (spent minimal time in) e.g. corridors, not visibly contaminated with any body fluids do not need to be further decontaminated beyond routine cleaning processes.

All shared spaces e.g. waiting rooms, changing rooms should be cleaned with detergent and disinfectant in accordance with this section.

The person responsible for undertaking the cleaning with detergent and disinfectant should be familiar with these processes and procedures.

Environmental cleaning and disinfection should be undertaken using disposable cloths and mop heads using standard household detergent and disinfectant that are active against viruses and bacteria. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants. All cloths and mop heads used must be disposed of and should be put into waste bags as outlined below.

In the event of a blood and body fluid spillage, keep people away from the area. Use a spillkit if available, using the PPE within the kit or PPE provided by the employer/organisation and follow the instructions provided with the spill-kit. If no spill-kit is available, place paper towels over the spill, and seek further advice from the local Health Protection Team.

Decontaminate all surfaces in the room/area the person was placed/isolated, including all potentially contaminated high contact areas such as door handles, telephones, grab-rails and bathrooms.

Decontamination of soft furnishings may require to be discussed with the local Health Protection Team. If the furnishing is heavily contaminated, you may have to discard it. If it is safe to clean with standard detergent and disinfectant alone then follow appropriate procedure. If it is not safe to clean the item should be discarded.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The recommended minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) required to be worn for decontaminating an area where a possible case has been placed/isolated includes disposable gloves and a disposable plastic apron. Hands should be washed with soap and water after all PPE has been removed.  If a risk assessment of the setting indicates that a higher level of contamination may be present (for example where unwell individuals have slept such as a hotel room or boarding school dormitory) or there is visible contamination with body fluids, then the need for additional PPE such as a surgical face mask and full-face visor should be considered. The local Health Protection Team can advise on this.

Waste: All consumable waste items that have been in contact with the individual, including used tissues, should be put in a plastic rubbish bag, double bagged and tied. This should be put in a secure location and marked for storage until the test result is available. If the individual tests negative, this can be put in the normal waste. If the individual tests positive, follow the advice of the local Environmental Health Department or Health Protection Team.

Laundry: Any clothing, towels or other laundry used by the individual should be bagged in accordance with organisational policy or into disposable plastic bags (double bagged and tied) and set aside in a secure location pending assessment of the possible case by a healthcare professional. If the test result of the person is negative, the laundry can be managed as per normal organisation policy/practice. If the result is positive, follow the advice of the local Health Protection Team.

What information resources are available for my business?

For general information, Scottish Government have up to date information on the situation in Scotland.

If you have questions about your business, Scottish Enterprise COVID-19 Business Support helpline provides businesses with advice and guidance. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, between 8.30am to 5.30pm. The business helpline number is 0300 303 0660 

The Scottish Tourism Alliance contains the latest information on developments in the tourism sector

Find business support in Scotland has Information on how to prepare and manage your business for the impact of the coronavirus - including business rates and funding, HMRC, employee advice and business continuity.


For health information, the starting point is probably Health Protection Scotland which has information on guidance, data and surveillance, publications and incident and outbreaks. 

NHS inform has information on the virus itself, common questions related to health, self-isolation advice for people without symptoms and information for professionals.

NHS Covid-19 communication toolkit - contains a poster, video and social media posts for organisations to print and share.