Most challenging COVID weeks ahead could impact on Council services

The Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Margaret Davidson has issued a New Year plea to people in the Highlands to do all they can to follow Scottish Government guidance and advice on coronavirus to help keep Council services active in the coming months.

Cllr Davidson said: “We want to keep providing our services as usual in Highland but cannot avoid the fact that local government like other businesses will be adversely affected by the highly infectious Omicron variant.

“Peak levels of COVID are expected in the coming weeks and while our services have business continuity plans in place, we recognise that whole teams could be required to self-isolate which may impact on service provision and mobilisation of replacement staff may not be possible due to location or impact on services elsewhere.”

She said: “Council staff have been doing a great job across all teams - indoors and outdoors - wherever they are – keeping things going in their communities in spite of COVID. Let’s all help each other out by being patient and mindful, both for Council staff and businesses across Highland.

“I simply ask everyone to please continue to follow government guidance at: 

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

…and keep an eye on Highland Council Twitter or Facebook @HighlandCouncil or news pages at https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/archive for updates to council services.”

Cllr Davidson added: “Lets all look beyond this pandemic. Let’s think about the great opportunities we have for the Highland economy and the innovation and thoughtfulness we will all bring to 2022.”