The Scottish Government has recently introduced more restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The new measures include the closure of pubs and restaurants throughout the central belt as well as a ban on alcohol sales in pubs, restaurants and cafés across the country. The implementation of these stricter rules has faced criticism from several organisations who claim that the Government is not doing enough to support those who will suffer as a result of the new measures.
According to hospitality leaders, thousands of jobs are at risk, with the latest measures putting additional strain on the finances of those who were already struggling to make ends meet. Many people feel that the hospitality sector has been unfairly singled out. According to hotelier Alasdair Houston, the Government is punishing businesses who were already following the rules. Nicola Sturgeon has made vague references to financial support. However, without details about the allocation of this support, the industry still faces an uncertain future. A large number of hospitality workers and business owners are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Bangladeshi and Chinese businesses are particularly concentrated in catering, meaning these groups will suffer a disproportionally greater impact from the closure of restaurants. Minorities and migrants are overrepresented amongst hotel workers who will suffer due to the restrictions on alcohol sales in hotel bars and restaurants.
As well as providing inadequate assistance for those directly affected by closures, the Scottish Government has remained silent when it comes to helping groups that face the largest indirect impact. Research suggests that social restrictions have more adverse effects on the BAME community as a whole. Workers from minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to face unemployment as a result of closures. Across the country, mental health issues resulting from restrictions on social interaction were worse in BAME populations, according to a UK Government report. Metropolitan police data also shows that a disproportionate number of ethnic minority men have been fined for alleged breaches of the last lockdown.
The SNP has so far made no mention of this as it relates to their most recent restrictions, which go far beyond those seen south of the border. Their silence speaks volumes, especially given that the UK Government has been so proactive in investigating the problems faced by the BAME community during the pandemic. The SNPs main priority is separating its own policy from that of Westminster, no matter the consequences. On the whole, the latest restrictions are at best poorly executed and at worst a deliberate attempt to play politics with people’s livelihoods. More clarification is desperately needed as well as measures to mitigate the negative effects on minority populations.