NO BINGO OR PUB
Plan to ask older people to reduce social contact
PEOPLE over 70 will be advised “no bingo, no pubs” as Scotland battles to cope with the coronavirus outbreak according to the country’s top doctor.
Jason Leitch, Scotland’s National Clinical Director, said that a plan is being worked on that will ask older people to reduce their social contact but not completely isolate them at home.
He spoke as the Scottish Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman, said there are no plans in Scotland to isolate over-70s in their homes for up to four months for “their own self-protection” as UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said is in the plan for England.
Mr Hancock said: “That is in the action plan, yes, and we will be setting it out with more detail when it is the right time to do so, because we absolutely appreciate that it is a very big ask of the elderly and the vulnerable, and it’s for their own self-protection.”
It is not however in the Scottish action plan but older people will be asked to minimise their contact outside.
Dr Leitch said there is “Some confusion today. There is no plan to ask over-70s to completely socially isolate as with the symptomatic. We are working on guidance for the over-70s to be asked to reduce social contact for their safety.
“So no bingo, no pubs... but family visits and neighbours etc.”
The move is designed to reduce the risk to older people, who are more vulnerable, contracting the virus.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Dr Leith was giving important clarity.
She added: “We will set out the detail of exactly what we are asking people to do, and when, in an open and orderly way.”
Ms Freeman said: “The additional measures that we’ve always talked about are about reducing contact for those over 70 and in their 80s, asking them to reduce their social contact because they are one of the groups who are most at risk of this virus making them seriously ill.
“The other group is people who have underlying health conditions, whose immune system is suppressed.
“It’s not isolation, it’s asking them to reduce social contact.
“We don’t want people who are elderly to be stuck in their homes alone not contacting anyone, with their families not able to be in touch with them and to help them.
“What we’re saying to them is, reduce your contact.”
Martyn Bell, manager of Gala Bingo Possilpark, said bingo is of huge social importance for many older customers.
He said: “Our focus just now is on ensuring surfaces are clean and communication the government advice on handwashing. For some of our older regular customers this is the only time they get out of the house and for many their families are in other countries. Our staff have a great relationship with our older customers.”
Churches have also put precautions in place. The Archdiocese of Glasgow said: “Parishioners should not attend church services if they are in any way unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms.”
Hymn books are to be removed from use, collection bags not to be passed from hand to hand and strict hygiene applied for church halls and social areas.
The Church of Scotland also issued guidance, including asking parishioners not to shake or touch hands and strict hygiene to be applied to preparation and serving any food in social areas.