The Scottish Government has announced that due to the rapidly changing situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19), there is to be a temporary pause a number of screening programmes. These are:

• Breast Screening (mammograms)
• Cervical Screening (smear tests)
• Bowel Screening (home test kits)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening (ultrasound of abdomen)
• Diabetic Retinopathy (Eye) Screening (images taken of the eye).

Pregnancy and Newborn Screening Programmes, including tests offered during pregnancy and just after birth, will continue where logistically practical.

This means no additional patients will be invited for screening until further notice. Results for those who have recently been screened or who have completed and returned home test kits will continue to be processed.

The suspension is temporary and will be formally reviewed after 12 weeks, or earlier if indicated by the evidence.

Pausing these screening programmes allows staff to be re-allocated to support other essential services, including COVID-19 laboratory testing and covering for colleagues who are unwell or self-isolating.

While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need. People who want to share their kindness with others can register as a Community Reserve Volunteer (CRV) and be part of Scotland-wide preparations to protect the NHS, support people in need and help save lives.

Responding to the news that the Chancellor has announced that eligible self-employed people can access a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said:

“Many self-employed people have contacted me with real worries about paying household bills and keeping their businesses afloat at this time. It is a relief that pressure colleagues and I across parties have put on both the UK Government and Scottish Governments has begun to make a difference.

“There are countless successful businesses in Shetland which must not be driven to closure simply because they cannot access financial support. These businesses will be crucial to the recovery of the local and national economy when this crisis comes to an end.

“It is now important that the scheme gets up and running quickly and is easy to navigate and that any gaps that are identified are closed. I would encourage anyone who feels like they will not be able to access support to get in touch.”

Latest Advice

You may only leave your home for the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities, which should only happen once a day (use food delivery services where you can);
• One form of exercise a day, like a run, walk or cycle, either alone or with members of your household;
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person;
• Travelling to and from essential work but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

Emergency legislation will give powers of enforcement to back up the measures on social distancing and premises closures.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has addressed the Scottish Parliament on the economic impact of COVID-19 in Scotland.

In her statement she warned that as a result of coronavirus, the Scottish economy is facing an immediate collapse in demand.

She outlined the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to support businesses including a package of measures worth £2.2 billion from 1 April:

• a full year’s 100% non-domestic rates relief for retail, hospitality and tourism
• £10,000 grants for small businesses in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme or Rural Relief
• £25,000 grants for hospitality, leisure and retail properties with a rateable value between £18,000 and £51,000
• 1.6% relief for all properties, effectively freezing the poundage rate next year
• First Minister to convene an emergency meeting of the Financial Services Advisory Board
• urging local authorities to relax planning rules to allow pubs and restaurants to operate temporarily as takeaways
• extending the go live date for the deposit return scheme to July 2022
• halting the introduction of the Visitor Levy Bill

The Scottish Government has announced a £350 million fund to support welfare and wellbeing.

The funding will be made available to councils, charities, businesses and community groups and designed to be flexible, cutting down on red tape to enable them to respond swiftly and according to local need for people impacted economically or through reduced contact with society, including anyone struggling to access food.

Following a question from Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart, the Scottish Health Secretary has today confirmed island patients with COVID-19 who need intensive care will be transferred to the mainland by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Ms Wishart asked the Health Secretary for reassurances that medical evacuations for island patients needing intensive care on the mainland will be carried out safely and efficiently.

The Health Secretary replied that the Scottish Ambulance Service “will ensure the transfer of any patient from any of our islands who has clinical need to do so.” Ms Freeman confirmed that concerns regarding fixed wing aircraft and personal protective equipment have been resolved and that the Scottish Ambulance Service held a conference call with Chief Executives from Highlands and Islands Health Boards on Friday to produce plans for these circumstances, including the possible use of ferries and road transport.

The Scottish Government has published the following advice on limiting social contact to slow the spread of COVID-19. The general public are being asked to stay at home as much as possible and avoid unnecessary social contact.

People over 70 and those who have high risk and underlying health conditions are being strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and significantly reduce unnecessary social contact. Those under 70 underlying health conditions are all those eligible for the flu vaccine. Those who have compromised immune systems will be contacted with specific advice in the coming days

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shetland has increased to 15 this afternoon.

Support for Self-Isolation Shetland - Coronavirus has been set up on Facebook to support people who are in self-isolation

In response to understandable concerns from the business community about the potential effect of Covid-19 on viability, the Scottish Government has now issued the following statement on support that will be made available.

£320 million package of support for businesses
Immediate action in response to COVID-19.

New measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the business community in Scotland have been announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.