No return to work until it’s safe to do so
WORKERS in Scotland are not being encouraged to go back to work and should not feel under pressure to do so, the First Minister has said.
Nicola Sturgeon said the advice in Scotland is still that non-essential businesses should remain closed.
Ms Sturgeon said working groups were being set up with 14 different sectors to discuss when and how business could return in a safe and timely way. It comes after, in England, the Prime Minister encouraged people to go back to work.
However, Ms Sturgeon said: “The lockdown restrictions remain in place in Scotland. We are not currently encouraging people to go back to work.”
She said the vast majority of employers had been responsible but she said workers must be sure they are safe when they are at work.
Ms Sturgeon said to anyone who was concerned their working conditions are unsafe they have rights and said they can contact a trade union if they have one.
She added: “The Scottish government is working with employers and trade unions to develop guidance on safe workplaces, which has the confidence of businesses and workers.”
Labour Scottish Leader, Richard Leonard, agreed that workers cannot return until it is safe and that the Prime Minister’s statement was leading to confusion.
He said: “As the Scottish Trades Union Congress has made clear, people should not be expected to go back to work until it is fully safe to do so.
“That means that testing and contact tracing should be in place, alongside adequate personal protective equipment and effective enforcement measures.
“We must ensure guidance is agreed with trades unions and employers on a sectoral basis, and that the jobs retention scheme is continued. I welcome the Scottish Government’s constructive engagement with the trade unions so far, and the First Minister’s statement that Scottish workers should continue to stay at home where possible.”
The latest figures showed a rise in the number of people in hospital with suspected or confirmed coronavirus.
The number increased by 165 in 24 hours to 1618 but the First Minister said there was concern over many people taken into hospital treated as suspected cases because over 70s admitted to hospital are all being tested.
There has been another 50 deaths, taking the total to 1912 hospital deaths with a positive test.
The number in intensive care increased by one to 81.
There has also been another 136 cases reported, taking the total to 13,763.
In Greater Glasgow and Clyde heath board area, the number of confirmed cases increased to 3510, with currently 496 in hospital and 29 in intensive care.