Nicola Sturgeon today dashed the hopes of Scots hoping to head to pubs for a pint soon by saying the country’s hospitality industry will remain closed well into July.
The First Minister announced a ‘gradual opening’ of the Scottish economy this afternoon that includes lifting many retail restrictions.
But she dashed Scots hopes of a cool, thirst-quenching pint as she said a date for reopening pubs and restaurants would not be determined until at least July 2.
It raises questions about when hospitality businesses across Britain will be allowed to reopen.
Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to confirm that English pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open on July 4, and to heed calls to reduce the two-metre social distancing rules.
He announced the prospective start date for the hospitality industry last month but as it approaches No10 has been completely unwilling to confirm it is still viable, despite increasingly worried pleas from industry for clarity.
The silence will fuel speculation that pubs across the UK will remain closed for weeks to come, at the risk of tens of thousands of job losses in the sector.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: ‘There is emerging evidence that places like pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission, so it is really important we better understand this evidence and what further mitigation might be necessary to protect people in such spaces before we permit them to reopen.’
‘I appreciate this will be hard for the hospitality industry. I want to give an assurance to businesses in that sector that we will continue to support preparations for reopening – for example by encouraging local authorities to facilitate the use of open outdoor spaces which pubs and restaurants can use for additional space.
‘I expect to have this further scientific advice in two weeks and I will set out then, hopefully on or around 2 July, whether outdoor hospitality can re-open during phase 2 – which I hope will be the case – or if further mitigations are required ahead of phase 3.’
Addressing the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: ‘There is emerging evidence that places like pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission
Outoor markets could also be given the go ahead to reopen, along with pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces, as long as physical distancing and increased hygiene routines are in place. Pictured is the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore
Ms Sturgeon this morning tweeted: At 12.30pm in the Scottish Parliament I’ll set out next steps in easing lockdown’
Any such move would place huge pressure on Boris Johnson to confirm that English pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open on July 4 and to heed calls to reduce the two-metre social distancing rules
Downing Street said there was ‘not an explicit link’ between the review of the two-metre social distancing rule and an announcement on when the hospitality sector can reopen in England.
July 4 has been earmarked as the earliest possible date for the reopening of England’s pubs and restaurants.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘It’s in the road map for July 4 at the earliest.
‘The road map is clear that reopening is conditional on us being satisfied that it won’t lead to second spike that might overwhelm the NHS.’
Boris Johnson ‘fully understands that the hospitality industry wants to get going’, the spokesman said and was ‘working with them to enable them to open safely’.
The First Minister confirmed the country is moving into phase two of her four phase plan for ending lockdown when she addressed Holyrood at lunchtime.
From Monday, the First Minister said, the Scottish construction sector will move to the next phase of its restart plan, dentists will be able to open, professional sport can resume and places of worship will be able to reopen – although only for individual prayer and not services.
From June 29, outdoor markets, playgrounds and sports facilities will reopen in Scotland, along with attractions such as zoos and ‘garden attractions’, although visitors should not travel more than five miles from their homes, and tickets should be bought in advance.
Non-essential retail businesses will also be allowed to open again on June 29, the First Minister said, with some restrictions in place.
Premises will only be able to open if they have outdoor exits and entrances, meaning shopping centres will remain closed.
Before June 29, shops and councils should ensure that plans for the ‘responsible use of public space’ should be in place, she added.
Speaking directly to would-be customers, Ms Sturgeon asked that everyone ‘exercise patience, stick to the measures that are in place for your safety, and at all times please respect retail staff who will be asking you to shop in a different way.’
The First Minister also said that further health services, including more access to GP services and the resumption of services which were postponed by the NHS in March, would resume.
Restrictions on moving house will also be dropped and weddings will be allowed to go ahead, but only if they are outdoors and with ‘limited numbers’.
Scots who live on their own or only with young children will be able to form an ‘extended household group’ with one other household, meaning they will be able to meet indoors without the need for physical distancing, as well as stay overnight.
If anyone from the extended group contracts the virus, then the whole group will be required to self-isolate.
The First Minister also urged Scots to stay within a roughly five-mile radius of their home for recreation, but not for meeting family.
From Friday, people will be able to meet those in two other households while outside, with no more than eight people gathered at a time.
People will also be able to go inside to use the toilet when meeting in someone else’s garden, the First Minister added.
She also confirmed that those who are in the shielding category will be able to go outside for exercise from Friday, as well as be able to meet people from one other household, as was the case for the general public in phase one, so long as social distancing measures are adhered to.