Responding to the latest update on lockdown restrictions from the First Minister, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses across Scotland have been desperately awaiting confirmation of a business route map with indicative timelines as to when we can get closer to normality so there will be relief that, finally, this will be confirmed next week. This will be essential if businesses are to be able to plan and make critical decisions that will impact our ability to remain viable and retain our employees.

“We continue to engage directly with the Scottish Government to feed in the views of business and we are pressing for a detailed timetabled re-opening plan that supports those sectors most at risk of permanent closure. We expect this plan to include a sequenced re-opening of sectors, an indication of when domestic travel barriers will be removed and support packages for sectors that will have to stay closed for longer.

“Good progress has been made in the suppression of the spread of COVID-19 but we must continue to accelerate the vaccination roll-out.”