Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has urged local business owners to apply for business support that the Scottish Government has made available as a result of the further covid-19 restrictions.

The further restrictions apply to Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven, but not Helensburgh, and have forced the closure of hotels, restaurants and pubs. Only cafés are allowed to trade up to 6pm at night.

This followed a statement from Nicola Sturgeon during which she announced that the application process for business support would open on Tuesday and that the process would then be live for two weeks.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19): Restrictions Fund is £40 million worth of support that aims to help businesses that have been affected by the new Covid-19 restrictions that have been introduced. The grants will be administered by local Councils in those areas affected by enhanced restrictions.

The First Minister also announced that the ban on household mixing would stay in place and that, following the current set of restrictions which are due to end on 26 October, the country would not be ‘back to normal’. She said that the current restrictions would be replaced by a tiered system which would see businesses in areas with high COVID-19 case figures remain closed.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“The restrictions currently imposed on businesses – especially those in the hospitality sector – are very tough and I am worried that some of them might go to the wall. It is therefore important that support is made available to help them get through this period.

“It is looking unlikely that restrictions are going to ease in any significant way for the immediate future and I fear that businesses and workers will continue to struggle for some time to come.

“I strongly encourage every local business owner to apply for help through the Council and if you encounter a problem then please get in touch as I am happy to help.”