In a preliminary response to the First Minister’s announcement of the next steps to relaxing Covid restrictions and the publication of a revised strategic framework, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Scottish Retail Consortium Head of Policy, said:

“It’s clear Scotland is not yet out of the woods with Covid restrictions, but retailers will be reassured the sense of progress is being maintained, even if the pace has slowed. Moving to Level 0 next week should simplify retail operations somewhat, but physical distancing and face covering rules remain and will still affect customers and colleagues. Whilst we recognise the government’s desire for caution on encouraging workers back to offices, it is likely this will further push back the recovery for city centres and high streets where footfall remains almost a third lower than pre-pandemic levels.

“Looking forwards, the proposed changes to self-isolation rules for negative testing double-vaccinated workers should help deal with the increasing pressure on workforces; albeit that will have to wait until the planned August move Beyond Level 0.

“Retailers have now spent sixteen months complying with significant Covid restrictions. Whilst government views rising case numbers as justification for a deceleration on the path back to normality, that doesn’t mean the pressures on businesses aren’t also real. The Scottish Government needs to be prepared to consider how best to support struggling retailers if the return back to normal trading continues to take longer than anticipated.”