On Tuesday 16 March, the Scottish Government outlined the plan for easing of restrictions in Scotland with key dates throughout April and May. Due to the unpredictable nature of coronavirus, the First Minister explained it is still too early to give specific dates beyond May and that it is vital to allow enough time to assess their effects. However, it is hoped that from the start of June, the whole of Scotland can move to Level 1 with a move to Level 0 at the end of the same month.

The First Minister added that government will be prepared to pause the easing of restrictions if the data shows that the virus is spreading again and they will act decisively to reapply higher levels of restrictions to manage localised outbreaks should the need arise. This could be on a local or regional basis, depending on the nature of the outbreak. However, restrictions will not remain in place for any longer than necessary.

From 2nd April there will be a lifting of the 'Stay at Home' requirement in place across Scotland replacing it with a 'Stay Local' message with a gradual weekly easing of restrictions which bring Scotland in line with Shetland’s current level 3 position. There will be no change for Shetland until at least 26th April when we may move to level two. This is not level two as we knew it last year - the details of the revised levels have not yet been fully confirmed but it appears that the new Level 2 may allow:  in-home socialising for up to 4 people from up to 2 households  6 people from up to 3 households can socialise outdoors  opening of hospitality: bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes can stay open until 22:30 indoors and 22:00 outdoors with alcohol sales permitted, with a two- hour permitted dwell time  adult outdoor contact sport and indoor group exercises can resume  cinemas, amusement arcades and bingo halls can re-open  small scale indoor and outdoor events can resume subject to capacity constraints (to be confirmed)  colleges and universities can return to a more blended model of learning  more in-person (face-to-face) support services can resume  non-professional performance arts can resume outdoors

The move to Level 2 before the rest of Scotland is not guaranteed. The First Minister has indicated that travel within all of mainland Scotland will be permitted from 26th April but if Shetland moves into a lower level before the rest of Scotland this may mean that there will be ongoing restrictions for travel between Shetland and the rest of Scotland. I understand this will be explored further in the coming weeks before a final decision is made - I will try and keep you updated as any change is confirmed.

The reproduction rate R in Scotland is currently estimated as being between 0.7 and 1.0. It is slightly higher than last week because the return to schools has increased the number of daily new infections and transmission in some communities. Hospital bed and ICU occupancy are falling and are projected to fall over the next few weeks, but with the potential to plateau, or increase, as a result of schools reopening and the gradual return to the workplace as some sectors of the economy slowly restart. In Shetland, unfortunately we have had 8 new cases confirmed this week. This takes our infection rate over the last 7 days to 35 per 100,000 population, which is still within the Level 2 threshold. Contacts of the cases are self-isolating. These contacts are offered tests even though they may not have symptoms and will be re-tested if symptoms develop in the next 10 days so it is possible that the number of cases will continue to increase this month. I know it feels like a setback but new infections were always inevitable. Our Public Health team are fantastic at Track, Trace and Test to manage an outbreak and as long as we all keep going by continuing to follow the guidelines, hope of restrictions changing is in sight.

So, it's vital we all continue to play our part in tackling the virus by:  Taking up the opportunity to get vaccinated when invited  Following hygiene and physical distancing measures (FACTS)  If you have even low level cold and flu symptoms, self-isolate immediately and book a test I have been hearing so many first-hand accounts of the vaccine programme as many of my colleagues and friends have received their first dose of the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is the largest ever carried out in the UK. We are supporting NHS Shetland with the local rollout of the programme and we're encouraging everyone to 'Roll up their Sleeves' when they receive their invitation. The uptake has been very high and the feedback from NHS teams working onsite and the wider NHS public health team has been really positive. As has the response from patients who have visited the centres with some of them taking to social media to praise the safety measures in place, the efficiency of their appointment and the friendliness and professionalism of staff and volunteers. I am still waiting for my phone call with anticipation - so far all my unknown numbers have been about my PC virus, my overdue payments to HMRC or my recent car accident!

The vaccine is making a difference - one study showed that, four weeks after receiving an initial vaccine dose, the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines reduced the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19 in up to 85% and 94% of people respectively. Researchers from Public Health England and the University of Glasgow have presented their findings that the Covid vaccines deployed in the UK could cut transmission rates by up to 50 percent which could seriously disrupt transmission of the virus. It is important to note that whilst being vaccinated reduces your risk of hospitalisation and death and you may have no or very mild symptoms yourself, you can still spread it to others so it’s important that we still follow the hygiene and physical distancing requirements and follow the level 3 restrictions even when we have been vaccinated.

As restrictions ease in the months ahead, health and safety controls across all our locations, sites and services will remain in place to help ensure we continue to put safety first, both for our community and for you. If there is any change in health and safety guidance, for instance on physical distancing, as the vaccine programme rolls out, I will share that with you and ensure that it is well communicated before any changes are made.

As we continue to make progress in the tackling the pandemic and we look ahead to the easing of restrictions over the coming months, this is an important time for all of us, and the work we're doing as a council to support Shetland’s recovery. The council budget was approved by our Councillors on Wednesday. This will play a crucial part in supporting our longer-term sustainability as a community by delivering the priorities in Our Ambition. However, it also provides us with the resources that we need to support our community in this challenging time through the continuation of our essential council services. It provides the funding to help look after those with health and social care needs, it funds the return to learning in our nurseries and schools, the delivery of the business gateway service who have worked so hard to provide financial support to businesses, and the continuation of our critical transport services. Your outstanding work has not gone unnoticed by the elected members during the budget setting process. At each Committee and at full Council they noted that great credit must go to every staff member—you have all played a role in this immense effort to support our community whether that's been on the frontline or from home.

Our Values continue to shine through everything we do for our community. Your commitment to excellent service and doing the best you can for those who rely on our services. Taking personal responsibility in how we all seek to carry our share of the load and make things work for those we serve even in these challenging circumstances. Working well together across the council and with the wider Shetland Partnership as we have evolved and adapted to new ways of working and responded to the changing needs of our community.

On Monday, Policy and Resources approved our revised Complaint Handling Service, which is built on the strong foundations of our Values and our Customer First Charter. This is a step towards making my vision for the Council being a fabulous place to work a reality. I want to ensure as many complaints are managed as close as possible to the point of service and staff handling complaints get it right first time. The procedure will help us provide better services, improve relationships with our customers and enhance public perception of our Council. It will help us to improve our services by learning. It will make a significant contribution to our reputation as an organisation and I hope, helps you to feel proud to be part of our organisation. You will be receiving information about this procedure shortly because I want you to feel confident and supported in applying it going forward.

The UK and Scottish Government committed to a £100 million investment in the future economic prosperity of Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, as the Heads of Terms for the Islands Growth Deal was signed by our Council Leader Steven Coutts on Wednesday. Our projects will see jobs created and economic growth throughout Shetland and will help to address the demographic challenges we face. The Shetland projects are:  the Shetland Clean Energy Hub;  the Dales Voe ultra deep water port;  the mussel farming research project Shell-volution;  the Shetland Space innovation campus;  the Shetland Campus redevelopment;  the Knab redevelopment.

The Islands Growth Deal programme includes three joint-island innovation-focused proposals in the areas of low carbon technologies; creative industries and wellbeing; and skills and talent attraction. These projects will undertake activity in all three- island groups and deliver benefits across all communities.

As I have been writing this, I received a message to tell me that another of the music festivals I had tickets for this year has been cancelled (4 down out of 6). I had high hopes after last year but it looks like it isn’t going to be possible. The First Minister’s statement had indicated that restrictions on journeys between Scotland and other parts of the UK and the wider common travel area can be lifted, around 26th April (although there may still be some restrictions between Shetland and the mainland). International travel will not be permitted until after 17 May.

It’s hard to plan for breaks with so much uncertainty. I recognise that you may not be able to go on your usual holidays this year; however, I strongly encourage you to take your annual leave, where this is possible and in line with service needs. We are all responsible for managing our annual leave entitlement. Balancing the use of it across the calendar year is key to making sure you maintain good health and wellbeing while ensuring we can continue to deliver essential services.

I am keen to encourage you to take your annual leave entitlement regularly and proportionately during the current period even though there are restrictions and throughout the rest of 2021. This will ensure that when we return to more normality, our services are not faced with managing a disproportionate volume of annual leave, placing additional pressures on service delivery and your colleagues. The normal carry forward arrangements for annual leave into 2022 will apply so please don’t store it all up for the end of the year - it is good for you to take a break. Even if you cannot go away, it is important that you:  have some time away from work to relax and recharge  balance your work and life during the pandemic  look after yourself while continuing to provide our critical public services.

Last week I asked you to share your photos of something that isn’t man- made. This photo was shared with the comment “This plant always makes me smile when I arrive home, even in winter, as its evergreen”. As you know, I have a strong belief in the restorative power of nature and how it can help us deal with our stressful lives. That’s why I asked for your pictures of things that are not man-made!

When we meet stressful situations our fight or flight response kicks in - priming us to tackle the immediate physical threat like our cavemen ancestors did. The problem is that our bodies have evolved to cope with different stressors than the ones we face today and brute force (fight) or speed (flight) are not much use in dealing with the 21st century! When we don’t use the extra energy from our fight/flight hormones then it gets pent up in our bodies causing health problems.

Our immediate surroundings have a big influence on our mood. Thanks to our evolutionary heritage, environmental characteristics can determine whether we feel safe or unsafe. Colours in our environment can help change whether we feel relaxed or stressed. When our ancestors arrived in an area with lush green vegetation, they would know it was a good place to settle. The colour green is still strongly associated with health and vitality, which is why it has been used in hospitals across the world. We receive the same feel good chemicals in the modern world when we are in an environment with bright green natural forms as they indicate the area is bountiful and safe. Studies show that, hospital patients display faster recovery times if they have a view of trees from their window; and regular contact with the natural environment can reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity.

The impact of this green plant as an anchor of wellbeing reminded me of an article I had read about the Japanese practice of “forest bathing” -a process of relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way. Dr Alan Kellas is a psychiatrist interested in nature-based approaches to mental health, and lead for Green Care on the Royal College of Psychiatrists’s Sustainability Committee. He says: “Noticing the way trees grow and mature, their autumnal colours or winter skeletons, or the way wildlife adapts to seasons changing, can help slow our ruminating thoughts and help us see our place in the wider web of life.”

Researchers, primarily in Japan and South Korea, have conducted studies on the health benefits of spending time amongst the trees, demonstrating that forest bathing positively creates calming neuro-psychological effects through changes in the nervous system, reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the immune system. Every study conducted so far has demonstrated reductions in stress, anger, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness amongst the participants. In fact, after just 15 minutes of forest bathing blood pressure drops, stress levels are reduced and concentration and mental clarity improves. Forest Bathing is a great way of building several of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing into your life.

We rely on our brains and thinking for so many important activities in our daily lives. Our minds and general wellbeing really benefit from taking a break from our thoughts and being present in nature. In forest bathing, we use our senses to see, feel, smell, hear and taste the natural world. We take time to just be in the moment and let nature surprise us. This allows us to experience a sense of calm, appreciate the beauty of our surroundings and switch off from the pressures of daily life.

When I first moved to Shetland I was really struck by the lack of trees – I really missed them but then my eyes attuned to the landscape and I saw them! We have woodlands and at a push I’d say forests - so this week my challenge for you is to get out and be among the trees!  Wrap up in a warm coat and waterproof shoes and head out into the trees  Embrace the elements! A ‘bracing walk’ in the wind and rain can be breath- taking (!!)  Turn your devices off or onto silent and find yourself a quiet space to be mindful and enjoy the sensory stimulation of the woodland  Pause and allow yourself to connect with your senses – feel the crisp air on your cheeks, breathe in through your nose and take time to notice what you can smell and listen to the sounds around you.  You may wish to move onto another area and again stop, pause and be aware of all your senses – is this spot different to the previous one?  Look for different textures on the floor. Pause for a moment to explore with your fingers, as well as with your eyes. And if you're walking with children, make a game of it! Ask them to find something that's rough, spongy, damp, prickly – or any other adjective you can think of to describe the natural treasures on the floor.

I recognise it might not be possible for us all to find a quiet patch of trees this week so to finish, I thought I’d share some research by Dr Eleanor Ratcliffe, at the University of Surrey who has found that bird sounds can offer relief from mental fatigue and stress. So, if forest bathing feels a step too far for you - just stand still and listen to the birds!

Kind regards

Maggie