28/04/2020
Another groomer has asked the government if dog groomers can open. The answer is below. Basically we are seen as not essential to the running of the country so we must remain closed. No groomer should be open until the lockdown is relaxed. Its going to be at least a few more weeks. Please be patient. Keep brushing and COMBING; combing helps find fhecknots you missed with the brush. Find a knot with the comb then use fingers to hold it and brush out. Keep going.
Here it is in black and white directly from the SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT! This is in response to the email I sent them on Friday.
Thank you for your e-mail dated 25 April 2020 regarding your dog grooming business. We understand your concerns however we cannot offer specific guidance on business practice at the moment.
We have recently updated our guidance for businesses that details the practices that should be adhered to by all businesses. It can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-and-social-distancing-guidance The guidance offers a clear set of principles regarding the Scottish Government’s position on closure of non-essential business premises and provides a list of the non-essential premises which must close.
At present, dog groomers do not fall into the category of essential business and I’m sorry but you will have to let clients know that you remain closed. If your clients have concerns about animal welfare they should contact their vet.
All business workplaces that are not being specifically required to close should consider:
• Whether what they do is essential or material to the effort against the virus or to the wellbeing of society.
• Whether they are able to demonstrate and give confidence to their workforce that they can consistently practice safe physical distancing and comply with all other standard health and safety requirements.
The guidance lists the 13 designated Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors and essential services that are fundamental to ensuring the country continues to function. It highlights that not everything and everybody within a national infrastructure sector is 'critical' and that only those premises or parts of premises that are truly critical or essential to the national and international COVID effort remain open.
In this public health crisis it is vital that all businesses act responsibly and align fully with the physical distancing measures introduced to protect the nation’s heath, well-being and economic future.
You can also find details of all business support available to you here: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice
Kind regards
Joan
Joan MacPherson – Business and Physical Distancing (BuPD)| Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has launched additional support to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing during and after the Covid-19 Crisis. This can be accessed at https://www.gov.scot/news/new-mental-health-support/
CoronaVirus_Email_Signature
-----Original Message-----
From: margaret burgess
Sent: 25 April 2020 16:14
To: Central Enquiry Unit
Subject: Dog Groomers
Dear Sir/Madam,
As a non-essential business, ‘most’ dog groomers in Scotland are closed.
There are protocols in place for health and safety for being able to groom dogs if you can get them to your salon. However, the majority of dog groomers would then only be able to do one or two dogs a day and would have to get commercial insurance and pet transport insurance as people are not allowed to drive to us.
This is causing great uncertainty and unrest in the Grooming Community in Scotland.
If clients were able to drive their dogs to and from the groomers (like driving to and from the local shops), then we could all get back to work with social distancing measures in place.
I urge you to please consider this option when you look at ways to get some parts of the lockdown lifted.
Many, like myself, are self-employed, not entitled to Universal Credit and have zero income.
Yours faithfully
Margaret Burgess (CAPG)
Sent from my iPhone
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Guidance for businesses in Scotland on social distancing, including the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises due to the COVID-19 outbreak.