MID FIFE AND GLENROTHES MSP REFLECTS ON ONE YEAR OF COVID AND PRAISES COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Published date : 23 Mar 2021

Jenny Gilruth MSP continues to serve local communities during global pandemic

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has praised individuals, community groups and local businesses on the anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown.

The constituency MSP has thanked every constituent in Mid Fife and Glenrothes for doing their bit to suppress the virus and gave particular praise for those who have stepped up to look out for the most vulnerable in our local communities during the biggest peacetime challenge of our lifetimes.

The MSP also paid tribute to those who have lost their lives, those who have lost loved ones and those whose lives have been completely changed by the pandemic.

During lockdown, Jenny had to put her constituency advice surgery tours on hold, but replaced these with busy twice weekly telephone advice surgeries.

Jenny and her constituency team have been working from home with secure access to email and casework systems since last March and in that time have opened more than 2,300 new constituent cases.

The Scottish Parliament goes into recess from this Thursday [25 March], but Jenny will continue to be available to assist constituents with urgent enquiries.

Commenting on the anniversary of the Covid-19 lockdown announcement, Jenny Gilruth MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes said:

“Today marks a full year since the first lockdown was announced in response to Covid-19, and I could not be more proud of the heart-warming togetherness shown by our local communities. The strength of our humanity has shone through in all the acts of kindness from individuals, community groups and our local businesses since last March.

“This virus has touched all our lives and my thoughts today are with my constituents who have lost their lives as well as those who have lost a loved one and whose grieving process has been made that bit harder by Covid restrictions.

“Whether missing out on seeing family and friends because you’ve had to shield; dealing with the consequences to your livelihood as an employer or employee whose business has been interrupted; or working on the frontline in the NHS, social care or emergency services, Covid has utterly changed the lives of so many and my heartfelt thanks go to all those who have given so much and for all the sacrifices made.

“My constituency team and I have worked tirelessly over the last year to assist as many constituents to deal with the impact of the virus as possible, whether by offering advice following changes to lockdown restrictions; signposting them to available support; or ensuring that they continue to access the vital services to which they are entitled during the pandemic.

“As the Scottish Parliament goes into recess before May’s election, I want to reassure constituents that I will continue to take forward ongoing casework and they can get in touch with me for help and advice on urgent issues.

“Thanks to sacrifices we have all made over the last year, we are now in a much better position and the indicative timetable for the easing of coronavirus restrictions set out by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is a cause for optimism that we will return to much more normality over the summer months.

“If we continue stick together and stick with it, the excellent progress of the vaccination rollout and the encouraging data have shown that there are brighter times ahead for us all.”

Constituents with urgent requests for help and advice can continue to contact Jenny after 25 March by emailing Jenny.Gilruth.msp@parliament.scot or by calling the constituency office on 01592 764815.

ENDS

Local Reporters