Business support call from MSP
An MSP this week warned that Ayrshire businesses will need even more support from the Scottish Government- if the region is to remain in Level 3 COVID- 19 restrictions“indefinitely.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week announced that Ayrshire will remain in Level 3 status following her government’s decision to impose a tiered system across the country.
But the curbs have had major implications for many businesses such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars who must close at 6pm daily.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth reckons beleaguered businesses must not be forgotten if the restrictions don’t change any time soon and added: “In the past few weeks, we’ve all seen that cases have been going up and this prompted the First Minister to bring in first the ‘ circuit breaker’ and then the level system in the region. In Ayrshire, what the Government said was going to be a short, sharp shock to help slow infection rates on October 9 and was meant to last just over two weeks, turned into level 3 restrictions which looks like they’re here to stay for some time to come.
“My fear is that the inevitable consequence of these rules remaining in place indefinitely, is that people will start to feel frustrated, particularly given the fact that it’s very unclear what criteria the Government uses to determine what level of restrictions there are in each level.
“If the First Minister decides in the coming weeks that Ayrshire must stay within level 3 for even longer, we need even more support for businesses across the region who are already suffering.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said if your business is required to close by law or to significantly change its operations due to COVID- 19 restrictions from November 2, you may be eligible to apply for grant funding.