Acting responsibly will protect our NHS and help save lives during coronavirus outbreak say Fife’s MSPs

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Acting responsibly will protect our NHS and help save lives during coronavirus outbreak say Fife’s MSPs

Published date : 03 Apr 2020

Fife’s constituency MSPs praise good start to social distancing in the Kingdom but warn more has to be done to protect the most vulnerable

Fife’s constituency MSPs have today, Friday 3 April, thanked individuals and businesses across Fife who have been quick to follow the government’s advice to temporarily close and stay at home during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

However, as the virus continues to spread in Fife and across Scotland, the MSPs have been clear that further, sustained effort is required by all Fifers and more Fife-based employers need to do the right thing by their employees and temporarily close.

Jenny Gilruth MSP, David Torrance MSP, Annabelle Ewing MSP and Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP all want their constituents to follow the latest health advice and stay at home to slow the spread and ease the pressure on NHS Fife.

Delivering a clear message to employers across Fife, Jenny Gilruth MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes said:

“We are grateful to the very many companies that are being responsible by actively supporting homeworking and allowing staff the time off for isolation.

“Employers should make decisions about what is essential work – it should not be up to employees decide whether or not they should go in to work.

“Workers should not be placed under unnecessary and unacceptable pressure regarding their terms and conditions.

“It is vital that all businesses act responsibly and align fully with the social distancing measures introduced to protect the nation’s heath. Further guidance for employers has been prepared and is published on the Scottish Government website.”

On the support available to help Fife’s businesses do the right thing by their employees and get through a temporary closure, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP for Dunfermline said:

“The Scottish Government has announced a £2.2bn package of support to help sustain businesses and, crucially, help them pay staff and treat staff fairly.

“Fife businesses can access information about support services available for all company sizes and sectors across Scotland by visiting www.findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice.

“We must all adhere to these measures to help us slow down the spread of the virus as much as we can.”

On the response needed to overcome the coronavirus, Annabelle Ewing MSP for Cowdenbeath said:

“This is the biggest challenge we have faced in our lifetimes and the measures we take to deal with it must reflect its magnitude.

“The changes we are asking people to make are difficult, but are absolutely essential to help us slow down the spread of the virus as much as we can.

“If somebody has symptoms of Covid-19, a persistent cough or a fever, they should isolate themselves for seven days – and anyone else in a household where someone has symptoms should isolate for 14 days.”

On where to get the latest health advice and how to help during the outbreak, David Torrance MSP for Kirkcaldy said:

“The first port of call for anyone looking for information is the NHS Inform website www.nhsinform.scot.

“The best way to support our NHS is to follow the rules and stay at home as much as possible. However, we know that many people are looking for other ways to help – and those wanting to volunteer should visit www.readyscotland.org.”

Local Reporters, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, COMMUNITY, LOCAL BUSINESS

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