Funeral Industry News

  • Covid-19: Test and Protect update

    31st March 2022 by

    On 15 March 2022, the First Minister provided an update on Test and Protect within her statement. We published an update to Covid-19 regulations and guidance on 16 March to provide the link to the updated test and protect transitional plan and update to the funeral industry.   We have now received more details from Test...

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  • Covid-19: Face Coverings Update

    30th March 2022 by

    In her statement today (30 March 2022), the First Minister announced that the requirement in regulations for face coverings to be worn at funeral services or commemorative events related to a funeral (such as memorial services) in indoor public places, will be replaced with guidance from 4 April.   Face coverings remain an important part...

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  • Covid-19: Update to regulations and guidance

    16th March 2022 by

    Yesterday, 15 March 2022, the First Minister announced a number of important changes to coronavirus-related restrictions to take place from Monday 21 March, and indicative dates for future easings. From Monday 21 March: the legal requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details will end; the legal requirement for businesses, places of worship and...

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  • COVID-19: Changes to Restrictions and Updated Strategic Framework

    24th February 2022 by

    On 22 February 2022, the First Minister announced a number of important changes to coronavirus-related restrictions to take place from Monday 28 February, and indicative dates for future easing. From 28 February: The legal requirement for some business to use the COVID-19 certification scheme will be removed Indicative date of 21 March: assuming no significant...

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  • Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill – update

    10th February 2022 by

    The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 25th January.  The news release, released 26 January 2022,  has onwards links to the Bill text, together with accompanying documents, impact assessments and other relevant information. The Bill follows the 12 week full public consultation “Covid recovery: a consultation on public...

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  • Covid-19: Regulatory changes and guidance updates

    28th January 2022 by

    On 25 January 2022, the First Minister announced further changes to the Covid-19 regulations and guidance, which impact on the funeral sector. The First Minister also announced the ‘distance aware’ scheme, more details below.   Regulatory changes From today, Friday 28th January 2022: The physical distance a person must maintain from others if they remove...

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  • Covid-19: Guidance updates and protective measures

    21st January 2022 by

    On 20 January 2022, the First Minister announced the relaxation of a number of covid protective measures from the 24th January 2022.  The Scottish Government guidance for Safer Businesses and Workplaces, Face coverings and Staying Safe guidance  have now been updated to reflect these changes. It is important to remember that some Covid-19 protective measures do...

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  • COVID-19: Update on duration of self-isolation and on critical worker exemptions to self-isolation

    6th January 2022 by

    On 21 December 2021, in response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the First Minister set out new protective measures. We issued a blog on 23 December setting out how those protections and exemptions applied to the funeral industry. The First Minister made a further statement to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, 5 January 2022,...

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  • GUIDANCE TO FUNERAL DIRECTORS’ BUSINESSES, CREMATION AUTHORITIES AND BURIAL AUTHORITIES ON EXEMPTIONS FROM COVID SELF-ISOLATION

    23rd December 2021 by

    Critical workers exemption   The Scottish Government has confirmed that businesses and organisations providing vital public services and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) industries can apply an exemption to allow critical / essential workers to volunteer to leave self-isolation and return to work, in certain limited circumstances, to allow vital services to continue.   Businesses and...

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  • COVID-19: Update to protective measures and upcoming regulatory changes

    22nd December 2021 by

    On 21 December, as a consequence of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the First Minister set out new protective measures.  These measures are considered necessary to help stem the increase in cases of COVID-19, safeguard health and protect the NHS, the emergency services and the economy while the booster programme is completed and...

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