Council Leader calls on Government to allow home visits

The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has called on the Scottish Government for a further relaxation of Covid-19 rules to allow people in the county to visit one another’s homes.

James Stockan, along with the Leaders of the Councils in Shetland and the Western Isles, put forward the case for home visits during an online meeting with Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government.

Orkney is placed at Level One in Government’s new five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions.

“Under the current rules we don’t have the freedom to visit each other’s homes,” he said.

“We are a sociable community and it would make an enormous difference to the wellbeing of folk across Orkney if we could call in to see friends, families and neighbours in their own homes – especially as winter fast approaches.

“I believe this can be done safely – and that the scientific data supports this – providing we continue to follow the guidance that’s in place to keep the risk of Covid-19 infection to an absolute minimum.

“Our community has shown its willingness to do that over many months. There is a strong case for a relaxation of the rules to allow home visiting in Orkney – and we are asking the Government to put this in place as a matter of urgency.”