Jackie Baillie is urging people from across Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond to give their views to Scotland’s Covid-19 Inquiry as it holds its first hearings.

As part of the Inquiry, Let’s Be Heard is seeking the views of people who were living in Scotland between 1^st January 2020 and 31^st December 2022 and who were affected by decisions relating to the pandemic made in Scotland during that time.

The project is keen to hear about what lessons should be learned and is asking for submissions to be made by 20^th December 2023.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP wants to make sure people here, some of whom lost loved ones to covid; others who were separated from family members due to care home restrictions; and keyworkers who were on the frontline during the pandemic, get the chance to share their experiences.

Jackie Baillie said: “The start of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry marks an important step in learning lessons from the decisions which were made at the height of the pandemic and beyond.

“As the pandemic first emerged and since, I have been inundated with emails, letters and calls from people whose businesses were impacted, those struggling to access health services, people who couldn’t visit loved ones in care homes, frontline staff and some who were bereaved in heartbreaking circumstances. It is imperative that their opinions are heard and taken into account should we ever have to deal with a pandemic again.

“It is also vital that people working on the frontline in essential services throughout are able to share their experiences.

“The areas across my constituency were some of those worst affected by Covid with some of the harshest restrictions imposed here. Lessons have to be learned and people’s own testimonies are key to that.”