Aberdeen has been put back into lockdown as pubs were shut and people were banned from travelling in and out.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the restrictions were brought back after 54 new coronavirus cases emerged after bars were packed over the weekend.
She said 191 contacts have been traced in relation to the cluster, adding the double in cases has contributed to a greater fear their was a ‘significant outbreak’.
More than 20 other pubs and restaurants are involved in the cluster, Ms Sturgeon said.
A five-mile travel rule has been put in place and residents are being told not to enter each other’s houses.
All indoor and outdoor hospitality venues have also been told to finish by 5pm on Wednesday.
It comes a day after the Queen landed at Aberdeen airport where she was met by a driver and whisked off to Balmoral, roughly an hour away.
Revellers packed into a bar in Aberdeen city centre despite the coronavirus lockdown, which Nicola Sturgeon said made her want ‘to cry’
Nicola Sturgeon, pictured above on July 27, said she ‘wanted to cry’ over pictures of pubgoers gathering with no social distancing at the weekend
It comes a day after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh flew into Aberdeen Airport from RAF Northolt, in west London
Ms Sturgeon said at a press conference: ‘It could be that what we see here is a pattern which involves people going from one pub to another in the same night.
‘Now it may be that we have to look at some of those lessons to think about whether we need to tighten up some of the restrictions about how hospitality is operating across the wider country.
‘I don’t want to rush to conclusions on that, but equally I want to make sure we are fairly rapidly doing some assessment of that nature. I may have more to say on that later in the week.’
The closure will be backed by governmental regulations, the First Minister said, and will be enforced if the rules are not followed.
Ms Sturgeon added the changes will be reviewed next Wednesday, when she hoped they could be removed if they could, either in entirety or in part.
But Ms Sturgeon said that if necessary they could be extended beyond that seven-day period.
Yesterday the First Minister said she ‘wanted to cry’ over pictures of pubgoers not social distancing at the weekend as 27 cases of were linked to one bar.
SNP MP Stephen Flynn yesterday tweeted two photos he had spotted online of the city centre, where an outbreak took place in The Hawthorn Bar.
The MP said he was ‘scunnered’ by the images, which showed dozens of people queuing to enter pubs in the city.
NHS Grampian later announced 27 cases of the virus had been linked to the bar, adding it is ‘aware’ of photos being shared online of ‘extremely busy bars’.
Addressing the Aberdeen cluster, the First Minister thanked the owners of the Hawthorn bar, where the outbreak is believed to have started, and said work was being done to address the cluster.
She added the coronavirus outbreak was ‘exactly what we feared’ when the decision was taken to reopen the hospitality industry.
Images show groups of people outside Soul Bar and The Justice Mill in Aberdeen, where a cluster of cases have been linked to another pub, Hawthorn Bar
SNP MP Stephen Flynn yesterday tweeted two photos he had spotted online of the city centre, where an outbreak took place in The Hawthorn Bar
Retweeting Mr Flynn’s images on Monday morning, Ms Sturgeon described the scenes as ‘dangerous’, warning it could result in the closure of more bars
Retweeting Mr Flynn’s images on Monday morning, Ms Sturgeon described the scenes as ‘dangerous’, warning it could result in the closure of more bars.
She said: ‘Spot on from @StephenFlynnSNP – Covid remains a real and present threat to our health and wellbeing.
‘Scenes like these are dangerous, and could easily result in pubs being closed again – which no one wants. We all have a responsibility here. Please, please everybody #keeptheheid.’
Mr Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South, said: ‘A bit scunnered by some of the photos appearing online from the city centre over the weekend.
‘Covid-19 has not gone away – as is evident from the cluster linked to The Hawthorn Bar. Should act as the wake-up call some folk clearly need.’
NHS Grampian tweeted earlier on Monday: ‘We can confirm the number of cases detected in the Aberdeen COVID-19 cluster associated with The Hawthorn Bar now stands at 27.’
It added: ‘We aware that many photos have been shared on social media over the weekend of extremely busy bars and venues in Aberdeen.
‘Our Environmental Health colleagues at Aberdeen City Council are in contact with licensees in the city to reiterate the safety rules and regulations. ‘
Dr Emmanuel Okpo, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: ‘It is not entirely surprising further cases have been detected. This virus is still circulating in our communities. It poses a risk to all of us.
‘People who have not gone to this bar, or who live in other parts of Grampian, should not assume they are somehow ‘safe’.
‘If you develop the symptoms of COVID-19 – a loss of sense of taste or smell, a fever, or a new, continuous cough, isolate at home & arrange a test.’
The owners said customers – who were there on July 26 – tested positive but it was confirmed by NHS Grampian they were only showing mild symptoms.
Physical distancing measures were put in place within the pub and contact tracing is being carried out to identify any other potential cases.
On today’s announcement, CBI Scotland Director Tracy Black said: ‘While this news will come as a disappointment to many people and businesses, it’s essential that we keep on top of the virus and public safety must come first.
‘Aberdeen won’t be the last local area that faces renewed restrictions in the coming months, so the Scottish Government must do everything it can to provide clear, timely advice and appropriate support to firms and individuals. That’s a must to maintain public confidence.
‘This will be a particular blow to the local hospitality sector, which has now faced a double-whammy of lockdowns, and emphasises the need for government support to evolve in-line with the trajectory of the virus.’
A total of 2,491 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19.
Meanwhile the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Scotland for the start of their summer holiday yesterday.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have arrived in Scotland for the start of their summer holiday. The couple travelled by private jet from RAF Northolt, in west London, to Aberdeen airport where they were met by driver, pictured
The couple were followed off the plane by royal aides carrying luggage and their faithful dorgis – a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi. Pictured, a member of royal staff carries one of the dorgis off the flight
Balmoral: The Royal Family’s summer retreat
A group of aides have already travelled up to the Scottish home of the Royal Family to prepare the castle for the couple’s arrival. The Queen and Philip will stay in the main castle, pictured
Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848.
In the autumn of 1842, two and a half years after her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Scotland. They were so struck with the Highlands that they resolved to return. A further visit to Perthshire and then Ardverikie encouraged them to seize the opportunity to purchase Balmoral.
After Queen Victoria bought the Castle in 1852, plans were made to build a new castle about 100 yards north-west of the old building designed by the city of Aberdeen architect William Smith.
On 28 September 1853 the foundation stone of the new Castle was laid by Queen Victoria. Prince Albert took a great interest in the design and construction which was completed by 1856, also in the Scottish Baronial style.
The Castle is constructed from local granite, which was precision cut using the modern machinery of the day, producing a much smoother finish to the building than usual.
Prince Albert set about landscaping the area, starting a programme of improvements lasting several years, which was done in accordance with a model he had constructed in sand. The main works were completed by 1859 and included new houses, stables, workshops and schools.
Royals continue to make improvements to the castle and the ruggedly beautiful surroundings have captivated generations of royals since.
The Queen has visited Balmoral almost every year of her reign and it holds a special place in her heart.
The couple, who had been isolating at Windsor Castle, travelled by car earlier to RAF Northolt, in west London, where they boarded a private jet.
After a short flight, the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, touched down at Aberdeen airport where they were met by a driver and taken the hour journey to Balmoral.
They landed in overcast weather, with the Queen donning a rain mac over her smart powder blue suit as her husband followed her down the stairs of the plane in his own practical waterproof coat.
They were followed by royal aides carrying luggage and a pair of dorgis, the Queen’s beloved dogs which are a cross between a dachshund and a Welsh corgi.
Her Majesty and the Duke will stay at the 50,000-acre estate until early October and will be joined by family members throughout their visit.
It will be a welcome change of scenery for the couple, who have not left the grounds of Windsor Castle since March.
A group of royal aides travelled up to the sprawling 50,000-acre Scottish estate ahead of yesterday to prepare the castle for the couple’s arrival.
It is understood staff quarantined for two weeks in order to minimise the risk of the Queen or Prince Philip, who are both in their 90s, being exposed to Covid-19.
Reports suggest the hand-picked team of royal aides who will join the couple include Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household; Sir Edward Young, the Queen’s private secretary, and Paul Whybrew and William Henderson, her pages.
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, her equerry; Terry Pendry, her head groom; Angela Kelly, the Queen’s personal assistant and her senior dresser; Jackie Newbold, Kelly’s PA; and three assistant dressers will also join, according to The Sunday Times.
It is thought staff will minimise their contact with people outside the royal household in order to create a ‘Balmoral bubble’ designed to keep the Queen and Prince Philip safe.
Measures will also be taken if any members of the royal family come to visit. Typically the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are joined by their children and grandchildren, as well as close friends, throughout the summer holiday.
But this year any visitors, who typically include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, will likely maintain social distancing while on site.
Family members will not stay in the castle with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as they have done in previous years and will instead be housed in other properties in the grounds of the 50,000-acre estate.
They will be able to meet her for outside activities instead including walks, horse riding and picnics.
Previous reports suggest Balmoral staff have been banned from social activity and the annual Ghillies Ball has also been cancelled due to coronavirus.