Do help out

We are in unprecedented times and all of us have a role to play in meeting this challenge.

The help being offered by individuals and organisations in Edinburgh is quite spectacular and I would like to thank everyone for all that they are doing. There are many local community support groups popping up in my own constituency of Edinburgh Pentlands and right across Scotland, and it is inspiring to see everyone pulling together in such a way. If you are on social media, you can search on Facebook and find your local community support group.

There are also many businesses and employers who have taken the correct decision to shut down for the time being, for the protection of their staff and the public.mTo them, I say “thank you”.

To those who have not, the advice from the First Minister and Scottish Government has been clear, employers should only be open if they are essential to the fight against coronavirus—for example, by making medical supplies or manufacturing essential items—or to the wellbeing of the nation, such as food supplies. If your businesses does not fall into these categories, the advice is to close. By choosing to remain open you put yourself, your staff, the public and our NHS at risk.

Understandably, this is an anxious time for everyone.

We are worried about parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours - and it’s now clear that things won’t return to normal for some time. We all have to take simple, sensible steps to limit the spread of this virus and make sure our NHS has the capacity to treat those who need support.

The only permissible reasons for people leaving their homes are to shop for necessities, to take part in one form of exercise a day, for medical/care needs, to provide help or support to a vulnerable person, or to travel to and from work but only if it is a necessity.

Lives really do depend on us all sticking to this guidance.

Call 0131 443 0595 or email Gordon.MacDonald.MSP@parliament.scot if you need help.