Commenting on the First Minister’s Covid-19 update, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“The First Minister has made the right decision today which will finally enable the reopening of offices and provide the freedom of choice for employees and employers to decide how and where they work.

“With the green-light given by the First Minister today, businesses now have the certainty to fully deploy their hybrid models which have been developed in partnership between employees and employers.

“We can now get to work to revive our workplaces and our town and city centres, which have been hit hard by the absence of office workers.

“It is clear that the time for directional guidance has now passed and it must be accepted by government that it is best to enable employers and employees to decide what is best for them.” 

On international travel:

“Our beleaguered aviation and travel industries will welcome the progress being made in easing testing requirements for travellers to Scotland, as well as the continued alignment between all nations of the UK.

“This alignment must continue and any return to stricter measures must be treated as a last resort, with appropriate compensation provided should this have to happen.”