Inverclyde has escaped being placed on level four covid lockdown — but tougher restrictions are being imposed on 11 Scottish council areas, including Renfrewshire and Glasgow.

The district is the only one of the six council areas covered by Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board not to be included in the tighter measures which take effect from Friday and will initially last for three weeks.

The Scottish Government said cases and test positivity had been consistently decreasing in Inverclyde over the last week.

It added:

“The increase in case numbers and positivity observed last week has improved and the picture is now improving.

“Although within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the position in Inverclyde is more positive than other local authorities within this health board. It is therefore not proportionate to move Inverclyde to level four.”

The leader of Inverclyde Council along with the area’s MP and MSP have joined forces to urge residents to be vigilant over the coronavirus rules so the area can continue to avoid the need for stricter regulations.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, Ronnie Cowan MP and Stuart McMillan MSP issued a joint statement saying:

“It’s our public duty to continue to follow the rules to help protect ourselves and each other, especially the most vulnerable in our communities.

“It feels never-ending and it’s easy to become complacent and let our guard down. But the fluctuations in infection rates we’re seeing is another stark reminder that this virus is still present in our communities and therefore we all must do our bit to help keep the transmission at bay.

“That includes keeping a two-metre distance where possible at all times, wear a face covering, wash your hands regularly, do not have people from outwith your own household in your home, and self-isolate and book a test if you display symptoms of the virus.

“While the wearing of face coverings in public settings is an important tool, they are not a substitute for social distancing. They don’t protect against this awful virus but offer an additional layer of protection.

“While we’re eager for Inverclyde’s national restriction level to be lowered to help struggling local businesses and allow us to reunite with friends and family in a safe way, this will only happen if we all continue to stick to the rules to drive down the rate of infection. Whether it’s for yourself, your family, your friends or whoever, please keep at it.”

Business Support

In addition to the UK furlough scheme, all businesses that require to close, at any level, are eligible for a four-weekly grant of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value.

Grants of £1,400 or £2,100 are available to businesses that are open but subject to trading restrictions.

A £30 million discretionary fund is being created to enable local authorities to provide additional support for businesses where they consider that necessary or justified – for example, for businesses in supply chains, or to taxi drivers suffering a severe but indirect effect.

£15 million is also being made available for newly self-employed people who have not been able to access other forms of support and £15 million will be available to local authorities to help with the community and social impact of a move to level 4.

More details will be released shortly.

Business Support Details