Level zero is mixed blessing for business
Chamber chief exec says move has good and bad side
A Perthshire MP whose cat went viral last year has called for a change in the law after his beloved pet was killed by a car.
John Nicolson MP was left devastated when Rojo died following the incident.
The ginger moggy had gained fans all over the world when he popped up on screen as his owner attempted to participate in a Zoom meeting with a parliamentary committee.
His appearance, which prompted Mr Nicolson to ask Rojo to put his tail down, has been viewed over 12 million times across the globe.
He even appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
But Mr Nicolson, who represents Ochil and South Perthshire, has spoken of his pain at losing Rojo in his Perthshire Advertiser column this week.
The driver did not stop after the incident, and Mr Nicolson wants to see the law changed to make it compulsory for drivers to stop after hitting a cat.
It is currently required of drivers to stop when they hit other animals such as dogs and horses.
Mr Nicolson said:“Two weeks ago, Rojo went for an evening stroll to our garden gate.
“I never worried when he was out. He was scared of cars, avoided roads, and never strayed far.
“Within moments, neighbours I didn’t know were at our door.
“Rojo had been killed by a car, they said. A driver had handed them his body but hadn’t stopped.
“A half hour after I’d given him his tea, we were leaving him, lifeless, at the vet.
“There have been many tears since. The house is quiet without him.
“Some people will say he was just a cat. But he was my Rojo. I loved him, and I miss him.”
• John Nicolson MP
The news that Perth and Kinross will move to level zero COVID restrictions on Monday has been described as “two steps forward, but at least one step back”by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the country would make the move, but “with modifications”.
One of these will see face coverings remain mandatory “for some time to come”.
Hospitality businesses will close at midnight, which was changed from the initial plan to leave closing time decisions according to local licensing rules.
Indoor public places will see the physical distancing rule reduced to one metre, instead of two.
Those working from home were expected to begin a gradual return to the office in level zero, but that has been postponed until ‘Freedom Day’ on August 9 - when all lockdown regulations are expected to be lifted.
Also from Monday, eight people from four households will be able to meet privately indoors, 10 people from four households will be able to meet in public indoor spaces and 15 people from 15 households will be able to meet outdoors, public or private.
Mass stadium events will also be able to admit more people, with 2000 seated patrons and 1000 standing.
Indoor events will be limited to 400 people and 200 people can attend weddings.
Soft play will also reopen with other guidelines available on the Scottish Government website.
Reacting to the news, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said: “It’s two steps forward, but at least one step back. While obviously a slower, phased return to some kind of normality is beneficial for health reasons, the toll continues to be considerable for business.
“And once again it’s hospitality and town and city centre retail businesses that are bearing the brunt of it, especially those shops and cafes reliant on the custom from office workers.
“August 9 has been ‘writ large’ in businesses’ calendars and I think they will still look towards that date as one where all restrictions are lifted, and consider today’s announcement as hopefully just a small bump on the road for some.”
The announcement came as the COVID spike in Perth and Kinross continues to ease.
The current weekly rate is 329.1 per 100,000 after 500 positive cases in a week, the lowest figure since June 26 and down from a rate of 550.8 and 837 cases the previous week.
However, two more people died from the virus in the region last week, bringing the total number of deaths to 259.
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney urged caution after the first minister’s announcement: “The confirmation that all of mainland Scotland will move to level zero is welcome news, and speaks to the progress that we have made in rolling out the vaccine and tackling the virus.
“However, it important that we proceed with caution. We are still seeing significant case numbers, particularly across Tayside, as a result of the prevalence of the moreinfectious Delta variant. Whilst the vaccine has allowed us to continue to open up our society, we cannot risk the virus overwhelming our NHS through sheer force of numbers.”