Rutherglen Reformer

Facing the facts on covering up

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Q: I’ve seen the new rules that I need to cover my mouth and nose when using public transport, I have tried looking in shops for these masks but can’t find any. Can I still use public transport?

A: By law, most people aged five or over must wear a face covering when: On public transport – like buses, trains, subways, trams and planes; In taxis and private hire vehicles;

On ferries – unless it’s completely outdoors or you can stay two metres away from other people;

In transport buildings – like bus stations, railways stations, airports and ferry terminals. In shops. Some people don’t have to wear a face covering, like police officers or paramedics on duty, children under five and drivers who sit behind a screen.

They might wear a face covering anyway. You don’t have to cover your face in your own vehicle unless you want to. If you don’t wear a face covering when you should, the police can enforce the law and fine you.

But you might have a reasonable excuse not to cover your face, for example if: A health condition or disability means that wearing a face covering would cause you difficulty, pain or severe distress or anxiety;

You need to eat, drink or take medication;

You need to communicat­e with someone who lip-reads; A police officer asks you to remove it.

You should explain your reason for not wearing a face covering. The police will decide whether this is reasonable.

You’ll need to have your own face covering when you travel. It should be material that covers your nose and mouth and that you can breathe through, like a bandana.

You don’t have to wear a surgical or medical mask like those used by doctors and nurses. After wearing it, you’ll need to wash it at 60 degrees or dispose of it safely. Use a clean or new face covering each time you travel.

Q: My work have asked me to go back part-time and be furloughed part-time, are they able to do this?

They also said in September I would receive less furlough pay.

A: From July 1, employers can bring furloughed employees back to work for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim Coronaviru­s Job Retention Scheme grant for the hours not worked.

From August 1, the level of grant will be reduced each month. To be eligible for the grant employers must pay furloughed employees 80 per cent of their wages, up to a cap of £2,500 per month for the time they are being furloughed.

The timetable for changes to the scheme is set out below. Wage caps are proportion­al to the hours an employee is furloughed. For example, an employee is entitled to 60 per cent of the £2,500 cap if they are placed on furlough for 60 per cent of their usual hours:

For June and July, the government will pay 80 per cent of wages up to a cap of £2,500 for the hours the employee is on furlough, as well as employer National Insurance Contributi­ons (ER NICS) and pension contributi­ons for the hours the employee is on furlough. Employers will have to pay employees for the hours they work.

For August, the government will pay 80 per cent of wages up to a cap of £2,500 for the hours an employee is on furlough and employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributi­ons for the hours the employee is on furlough.

For September, the government will pay 70 per cent of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee is on furlough. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributi­ons and top-up employees’ wages to ensure they receive 80 per cent of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, for the time they are furloughed.

For October, the government will pay 60 per cent of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee is on furlough. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributi­ons and top-up employees’ wages to ensure they receive 80 per cent of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, for time they are furloughed

The Coronaviru­s Job Retention Scheme will close on October 31.

Q: I have lost my birth certificat­e, how do I go about getting another copy?

A: You can get a copy of a birth, marriage, civil partnershi­p or death certificat­e in one of the following ways:

From the local registrar where the event was registered

From the National Records of

Scotland.

If you know where the event was originally registered, you should contact the local registrar’s office for the area. The address of the local registrar is in the telephone directory, through online or can be found on the National Records of Scotland website at www.nrscotland. gov.uk .

You should contact the National Records of Scotland rather than the local registry office if you are not sure where the event was originally registered, or if the event was before 1910.

There are fees for copies of certificat­es, and fees for searching the registers. A full list of fees for certificat­es and searches can be obtained from the National Records of Scotland website.

Q: I am struggling to keep up with payments of my council tax and I am afraid I’m going to end up in arrears.

A: We know that many households may be struggling financiall­y at this time and some people may not be getting paid as normal or their job may be at risk.

If your income has been affected and you are unable to pay, you may be entitled to Council Tax Reduction. You can check/apply for this on your local authority’s website or by calling them.

Any customers who are self-isolating and who would normally make payments at the Post Office or a PayPoint outlet can set up a direct debit to make their payments. Customers can also pay by debit or credit card online or by calling the automated telephone payment line on 0303 123 1005.

If you are unable to make your usual council tax payment as a result of financial hardship caused by the impact of COVID-19 on your household income, please contact the local council for individual advice and support.

The contact number for South Lanarkshir­e Council tax call centre is 0303 123 1011 and the opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 4.45pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.15pm.

Q: My husband and I had booked a holiday to the USA for June 26 and in April I cancelled it as I didn’t want to travel in June due to Covid 19.

It would have been cancelled anyway due to where we were travelling in America. They refunded us the money except told us we would lose £400 as the deposit as we cancelled the holiday ourselves. Is this right?

A: Unfortunat­ely this is correct, if you have chosen to cancel the holiday then it is classed as a disinclina­tion to travel.

In order for you to get a full refund you would have had to wait until the holiday company cancelled the trip.

You will not be entitled to your deposit back unless your holiday’s terms and conditions have a very generous cancellati­on policy.

You could try claiming on your travel insurance (watch for excess payments) or if you paid by credit or debit card through the card provider – but be aware that as you cancelled the holiday they might not consider your claim.

You don’t have to wear a surgical or medical mask like those used by doctors and nurses

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