Recovery options already being looked at for the region
The body responsible for disaster management in the Highlands has been meeting regularly and is already working on recovery options for the region due to coronavirus.
The Highlands and Islands Local Resilience Partnership (HILRP) members reviewed the emerging guidance from the Scottish Government on the imminent closure of schools and nurseries.
The closure is very likely to impact on staffing levels of all organisations and their capacity to carry out even core activities leading the partnership to look at ways staff can be redeployed from business as usual.
As part of the response to limiting the spread of the virus, some workers will be moved into other areas where staffing is proving challenging while the group is also looking at appropriate roles for volunteers.
Consultant in public health at NHS Highland Ken Oates said: “This is a rapidly evolving situation, which is without precedent.
"Sharing information across the Local Resilience Partnership and working together is the most effective way to help keep our communities and our staff safe.”
Donna Manson the chief executive of Highland Council is the chairwoman of the HILRP, she said: “As Resilience Partners, we have worked closely and successfully together for many years in the Highlands and Islands.
“We will continue, in this unprecedented situation, to support one another and do the best we can for the safety and protection of our communities and our staff.
“Work that also begins right now is planning for recovery and how we can rebuild the economy and resilience of the region following what is going to be an extremely challenging period ahead of us all.”
