The majority of COVID restrictions were lifted in Perth and Kinross yesterday (March 21), nearly two years since some of them were first introduced.
Local residents will no longer have to give their details across to hospitality venues for contract tracing purposes while shops won’t need specific guidelines for customers.
However, despite some of the big changes face masks will remain in place across the country until at least early April due to reports of rising cases of the so-called ‘Stealth Omicron’, the first minister announced on Tuesday.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed that one in 14 people in Scotland had COVID last week.
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite was critical of the face mask extension decision saying it is “the rug being pulled” from underneath the feet of the region’s businesses.
COVID measures in retail settings such as having separate entrances and exit, floor markings indicating physical distancing, dividing screens and hand sanitiser were removed yesterday.
While, places of worship have also lifted similar restrictions.
The use of QR codes and giving your details to bars, cafes and restaurants have also ended.
Restrictions on travelling to Scotland were lifted on March 18, however yesterday marked the start of the first full week of no international rules.
Speaking on the extension of the face mask rules, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said: “Once again, the speed bumps have been placed on the road to recovery and to say it is disappointing is understating the depth of feeling in our businesses.
“They thought they finally had a definitive calendar date when full service could be resumed, but now less than a week before there was to be no legal requirement to adhere to the government’s measures, the rug has been pulled from underneath their feet - again.
“I think we all thought we had come to a clear understanding that we had to live with the virus, even in the face of rising figures, and that businesses would be able to focus on re-establishing stability and growth.
“Yet it is not the green shoots of recovery that we can now see; it is the unpalatable seeds of doubt and confusion, and a fear that uncertainty will continue to hinder businesses, as they desperately try to get things back on track.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have just published an ambitious plan that sets out how we can transform Scotland’s economy – this includes a ruthless focus on working with business and industry to deliver the changes we want to see.
“We are all too aware of the impact the COVID pandemic has had – and continues to have – on retailers, high streets and on the economy. That is why, since the start of the pandemic, businesses have benefitted from more than £4.5 billion in support.
“We are taking action to help retailers and communities recover – not least through our £80 million Economic Recovery Fund and the forthcoming Retail Strategy.”
“We will also listen carefully to any constructive suggestions on what further steps we might take.”
