Covid Level 4 impacts in Aberdeen
23 December 2020
Aberdeen City Council has today published details of service impacts that will result from a move to Level 4 under the latest COVID-19 restrictions. The city is currently in Level 3.
The Scottish Government is placing the mainland in Level 4, the strictest tier of control measures, from December 26 for at least three weeks to control the spread of the virus.
City schools in Aberdeen will remain closed until January 18 in response to national guidance.
Staff will return as planned on January 5, which will be an additional in-service day to prepare for the delivery of an online curriculum.
Children and young people who rely upon the care and protection provided by schools are being prioritised for in-school support and learning from January 6.
Plans are also being put in place to provide childcare during school hours for key workers – defined as those who deliver services that support the vulnerable and aid community resilience.
Wrap around care providers and Funded Early Learning and Childcare providers will inform parents and carers of children who currently qualify. Workers who believe they may be eligible can also apply for provision in schools by completing a form:
All children will access their online Google classroom from January 11 – either from school, should they require to be supported there, or from home.
A full return to school buildings and face-to-face teaching is anticipated on January 18.
During Level 4 there will be impacts on other services in addition to education.
Aberdeen Art Gallery is to be closed along with all city libraries, although the click-and-collect service is to remain open. All Aberdeen Performing Arts facilities are closed until March 31, 2021, at the earliest.
Only emergency works are to be carried out within council tenants’ homes, however all repairs to external and communal areas are to continue including statutory, cyclical, and voids works.
The reception at Aberdeen Crematorium is to be closed but cremations and services are to continue under the current COVID-19 restrictions.
Bulky waste uplifts are suspended. However, Household Waste and Recycling Centres will remain open during Level 4 (except New Year’s Day) as will Recycling Points at supermarkets.
Indoor leisure facilities will be closed and there will be no lets on school premises or playing fields managed by the Council. The outdoor area at Pets’ Corner in Hazlehead Park is to remain open.
Other organisations and businesses will also be affected by the move to Level 4.
Sport Aberdeen is looking to allow outdoor tennis and the use of the 3G pitches at Dyce Academy and Northfield Academy to restart from January 5, subject to controls. Golf courses are to stay open.
Aberdeen Sports Village will close facilities from December 24 and hopes to reopen on January 22, 2021.
Bon Accord Care’s services will continue to be delivered, following all appropriate guidance.
Additional business restrictions have been added by the Scottish Government. The following activities are to remain closed during Level 4:
homeware;tanning salons, or premises which operate self-tanning machines or spray-tan booths; travel agencies;retail ‘showrooms’ such as kitchen/bathroom/furniture/glazing where you “browse”.