MSP Gordon MacDonald has urged residents in Edinburgh to 'stay local' when exercising and walking dogs, and avoid any unnecessary travel that could help spread coronavirus. Official advice from the Scottish and UK governments warns that people should not be driving somewhere with the intent of doing exercise or walking their dog – with new powers granted to police to enforce these regulations. To protect yourself and others from illness and save lives, people in Edinburgh should also avoid driving to beauty spots such as the Pentlands and Harlaw and Threipmuir Reservoir. Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said, "Of course, exercise is extremely important for people’s physical and menta
SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that private and social tenants in Edinburgh are to be given increased protection from eviction during the coronavirus pandemic. Emergency legislation will increase the minimum notice period for private and social tenants to up to six months depending on the grounds used, helping to protect them from eviction. The Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill, which contains substantial further powers and measures to ensure essential public services can continue throughout the coronavirus outbreak, will be introduced in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Tuesday). SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said, “We must all work together to meet this ch
Businesses and the public in Scotland are now required by law to follow necessary social distancing measures to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Scottish Government is using powers from the UK Coronavirus Bill to make it a criminal offence to flout the strict public health guidance that is helping save lives. To enforce social distancing, people in Scotland are being asked to only go outside if they have a ‘reasonable excuse’. These include shopping for necessary food, household and medical supplies, travelling to and from work where working from home is not an option, and daily exercise that adheres to social distancing guidance. Enforcement can be used against businesses and venues that
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has voted to pass the Scottish Government’s budget for 2020/21 – securing a cash boost for NHS Lothian, investment in vital public services in Edinburgh, and a more progressive tax system. The amended budget delivers on key issues raised by all parties in the parliament – and will see the SNP Government take the radical step of introducing free bus travel for those aged 18 and under, benefitting an estimated 12,660 young people in Edinburgh Pentlands. The agreement builds on key Scottish Government commitments to invest £15bn in health and care services – with NHS Lothian benefitting from a cash boost of £98.6 million an increase of 6.8% since 2019/20. Commenting, SN
