Corona Virus Update

Published

30th October 2020

Dundee City Council is working closely with partners across the city to deal with the ongoing impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19). 

Officers are monitoring the local situation daily and following the advice given by government and NHS public health experts. The council continues to consider appropriate actions based on the national guidance. 

 


As Dundee is placed under Level 3 measures (from Monday Nov 2) in the fight against Coronavirus, local leaders are urging the city's people to get behind the new effort to drive down the number of cases. 

Council leader John Alexander and Lord Provost Ian Borthwick are calling on residents to support the rules and suppress the virus. 

They are highlighting the work that local agencies are putting in to offer support and assistance to vulnerable individuals and local businesses. 

Lord Provost Ian Borthwick said: “These new restrictions have been put in place because of the worrying situation that has emerged across Dundee. 

“We all need to show a renewed determination to help reduce the number of cases by carefully following the new rules.” 

The city council and its partners in the wider Dundee Partnership, including NHS Tayside, have been working together to prepare for the new measures. 

Council leader John Alexander explained: “Our strong partnerships will help us to support the city through this difficult period, which is the biggest public health emergency of our lifetimes.” 

The council is also offering advice for business about support grants and also for people who were previously shielding on its website. 

Councillor Alexander added: “It is absolutely vital that people arm themselves with the most accurate and up-to-date information about the restrictions and any support that is available.” 

Chief Superintendent Andrew Todd, Tayside Division, said: “Police Scotland is working with a range of partners to support the combined effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Officers will continue to engage with people to explain the regulations and any new restrictions which may come into force. Where we encounter repeated and persistent breaches we will, as the public would expect, act decisively to enforce the law.” 

Dr Emma Fletcher, Interim Director of Public Health said, "There are no easy solutions and we know that every decision taken has a huge impact for people living in our communities. 

“Our priority is to reduce the direct impact of the virus on our health, to reduce the number of people who will experience long-term effects from the infection and to save lives.” 

Meanwhile, new classroom face covering guidance comes into effect for Dundee senior secondary pupils and their teachers at from Monday (November 2). 

Families in the city are also being urged to play their part by wearing face coverings at drop-off and pick-up on school grounds, even if they don’t go into the building.   

The updated Scottish Government guidance has been released following the confirmation of the Coronavirus protection levels that council areas will be in from Monday November 2.  

The new guidance states that in local authority areas in Levels 3 and 4, pupils in the senior phase – S4-6 – and their teachers should wear face coverings in classrooms, as well as when they are moving around the school and in communal areas.  

Full details can be found here along with updates for school staff and pupils at the highest clinical risk (shielding).  

City council children and families convener Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “This new guidance is part of extra efforts to keep schools open and reduce the risk of Coronavirus spread.  

“I have been impressed by the responsibility that has been shown around face coverings so far in our schools and I would ask that people pay close attention to these new guidelines.  

“Families should play their part as well at drop off and pick up times.”  

The guidance on face coverings does not apply to those with exemptions.  

Elsewhere, Dundee City Council has produced a Frequently Asked Questions page on its website to explain the new measures for the city and the implications they will have on everyday life. 

They include restrictions on non-essential travel into and out of the area, additional precautions in schools and the closure of all leisure and entertainment venues. Pubs, restaurants and cafes can open until 6pm but cannot sell alcohol. 

The full list of council services affected by Coronavirus can be found on the Dundee City Council website. 

Dundee City Council

Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.

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