Coronavirus (COVID-19) Highest Risk (formerly Shielding) List end: equality and fairer Scotland impact assessment

11. Distance Aware Scheme

11.1 We know from our user research with individuals on the HRL undertaken in July 2021^[71] that 73% of respondents indicated they would like the offer of a small wearable item to indicate to others they would like them to keep a distance.

11.2 In response, we developed the Distance Aware Scheme as a voluntary measure to enable people to wear a badge or lanyard to indicate they would like more space and care around them for any reason. It is open to anyone who feels this would give them greater confidence and comfort for whatever reason when they are out and about in public places and the workplace.

11.3 This has been promoted widely with free badges and lanyards available in all community and mobile libraries, as well as ASDA making badges available in their stores. Following distribution of more than 100,000 badges and lanyards through libraries, we have ordered more for distribution through local authority partners. This scheme has also been promoted to businesses and other organisations to encourage awareness raising about being considerate and responsible amongst staff, customers and members. This will complement existing guidance or regulations on protection measures [for more information see Coronavirus (COVID-19): distance aware scheme - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)]

11.4 Faith and belief stakeholders have indicated that many places of worship will continue to observe precautionary measures in order to keep people feeling safe, this includes some promoting the Distance Aware^[72] scheme for their congregations.

11.5 These measures should help to mitigate the concerns associated with the removal of the list of those on the HRL with protected characteristics and/or from disadvantaged socio-economic groups.