¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has welcomed the announcement from Scottish Government today (26 March) of a £5M package of support for the seafood fishing industry. Funding will be offered to over 650 seafood fishing companies across Scotland to help them through the coronavirus outbreak. Councillor Aileen Morton said:

A number of childcare facilities will open in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute tomorrow (Thursday) for children of key workers in the area. Eligible parents, who indicated a need for this service, have been informed of the individual arrangements that have been out in place for their children.  ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “It is vital that we do everything we can to ensure that key workers can continue to do their job without worrying about the wellbeing of their children during this time.

During the current coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak, circumstances change regularly. We will post updates on our coronavirus web page: /coronavirus-help-and-advice . Keeping people safe from the spread of coronavirus means making changes to how we work. We must concentrate on the services that will help to keep people safe, and that the council must deliver by law.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE ARGYLL AND BUTE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE With the closure of schools and nurseries during the Covid-19 crisis, a national child protection group is urging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for children who may be at risk during this time.

The Scottish Government has today (24 March) announced further support for businesses affected by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The aim of the Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Grant is to keep companies in business, help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery.  The fund will be administered by local authorities. Councillor Aileen Morton:

To help stop the spread of coronavirus, and in line with Government advice, council offices are now closed to members of the public. Look out for updates about our services on our website - - and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). If you have any urgent enquiries, you can call 01546 605522. Please only call this line if your enquiry is urgent. Thank you.

Police Scotland and the NHS are appealing to members of the public to use emergency telephone numbers appropriately. Police Scotland is receiving a number of 999 and 101 calls from people

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), or live with someone who does, you’ll have to stay at home. There are lots of things you can do to make sure you reduce the spread of infection.

The First Minister announced yesterday (22 March) that ferry travel across Scotland must be for essential travel only. This is to keep everyone safe and avoid the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to vulnerable rural communities. This restriction applies to those ferries run by the council. From now on all our ferries will be for our island residents, who have an essential need to travel to or from the mainland, and for essential supplies or business. The return of non-residents back to the mainland will also be considered essential travel.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥'s Policy Lead for Education has reassured young people in the area that they will get the credit they deserve for their studies, despite this year's exams being cancelled. Councillor Yvonne MacNeilly's statement comes after the Scottish Government made the annoucement earlier this week that, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, there will be no academic exams this year.