COVID-19 guidance for industry sectors in Scotland
All sectors in Scotland are being impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, some more than others. Here you'll find the latest industry updates from Scottish and UK governments, industry bodies and partners to support businesses in those sectors.
Find support by industry sector
Business continuity
Download the COVID-19 creative industries checklist and action plan (MS Word Doc, 193kB) for advice from Scottish Enterprise on the steps you should take to prepare for disruption.
Online training
XpoNorth
Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s XpoNorth provides year-round support for creative businesses in the region, and delivers Scotland's leading creative industries Conference and Showcase.
Get free specialist advice from their Sector Support Programme.
Find creative people to work with using the XpoNorth noticeboard.
Download the COVID-19 guidance for farmers and crofters (MS Word Doc, 59kB) from the Scottish Government - Rural Payments and Services (6 January 2021)
Advice and support
Find out about temporary changes to the destruction of spoilt beer, cider, wine or made-wine if you're a brewer, cider producer, wine maker or publican. (14 July 2020)
Food standards and safety
The Scotch Whisky Association has a hand sanitiser portal. It will help Scotch Whisky producers connect with related industry suppliers to provide high-strength alcohol and/or produce hand-sanitiser to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Job and skills
Lantra Scotland has a skills matching service for rural and land based businesses
It will match businesses with potential employees who have the relevant skills and experience.
The National Farmers Union of Scotland has a coronavirus advice page and lists employment opportunities on farms.
Personal and public health
Guidance for medical and healthcare industry on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). (22 December 2020)
The different types of tests and testing kits for COVID-19, and the specifications for manufacturers (20 November 2020)
How to get fast-track approval of medical devices during COVID-19 (17 June 2020)
Guidance to help developers of COVID-19 tests understand how their tests are assessed for procurement and use in the UK (23 December 2020)
Guidance on 3D printing of medical devices or component parts during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (4 June 2020)
Guidance on regulatory flexibilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (4 August 2020)
Regulations for devices and equipment being used to prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) including hand sanitisers and gels, PPE, gloves, face masks and face coverings. (23 July 2020)
List of manufacturers and their medical devices which have been granted an exemption by the MHRA (23 December 2020)
Business continuity
Apply for free IoT Scotland network access to fight COVID-19
The IoT Scotland network can now be used free of charge by anyone responding to the unique challenges raised by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the UK Fashion & Textiles Coronavirus guidance
They have also produced an excellent, concise guide to businesses planning to return to work - from warehouse staff to offices.
Scottish Government funding
Business continuity
Download the COVID-19 tourism industry checklist and action plan (MS Word Doc, 57kB) for advice from Scottish Enterprise on the steps you should take to prepare for disruption.
Find out how to market your tourism business during the coronavirus crisis with this free guide developed by the Tourism Marketing Agency.
View VisitScotland's coronavirus (COVID-19) advice on support for tourism businesses and their current and future visitors.
Business continuity
Safer aviation guidance for operators (14 September 2020)
Changes to the validity of Driver CPC cards held by lorry, bus and coach drivers (4 June 2020)
Temporary removal of the routine D4 medical will make it easier for bus and lorry drivers to renew their driving licence (17 April 2020)