What are the new rules for pubs in Scotland, when do they come into effect, and can I visit more than one bar?
NEW laws are being brought in to regulate Scottish pubs and restaurants during lockdown.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon decided yesterday to impose the new rules after an outbreak of coronavirus in pubs and bars in Aberdeen this week, which has led to Scotland’s first local lockdown.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates on Covid-19
For example, the Scottish Government say it will now be mandatory for the hospitality sector to collect customer details for test and trace.
But what do these new rules set out for hosptiality venues in Scotland really mean?
And when do these rules come into play?
Here at The Scottish Sun we’ve got you covered for everything you need to know about the regulations.
What are the new rules for pubs in Scotland?
There are a number of laws that pubs, bars and restaurants will now need to follow up and down Scotland.
Under current guidance, tables should be pre-booked where possible, with no queuing.
There should be no background music and TVs should be muted to reduce the need for people to shout or lean in to each other, and no more than three households at a time should be meeting in a group.
However, under new laws, firstly, hospitality premises MUST be collecting customer contact details for Test and Protect.
Secondly, face shields may be used but only if they are worn in addition to a face covering.
While exemptions to face coverings will apply, the new settings face coverings must now be worn in will include: shops, takeaway restaurants, estate agents, and beauty parlours.
However, this does not extend to hospitality premises such as sit-in cafes and restaurants.
Ms Sturgeon said the move comes to ensure “greater compliance”.
When do these rules come into effect?
The new guidance won’t come into effect until Friday, August 14.
But Nicola Sturgeon has emphasised that the hospitality industry should already be doing the right thing, and if not then they should start now.
All of the rules above must be adhered to by the hospitality industry, or otherwise cops will be drafted in to enforce compliance if necessary.
Coronavirus Scotland: New laws brought in to regulate all Scots pubs and restaurants after Aberdeen outbreak
Can I visit more than one pub?
As is the case under current Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines, people will be permitted to visit more than one hospitality venue in one day.
But Nicola Sturgeon has previously warned people against doing this and to “think carefully” about where they are visiting and how regularly they are doing so.
As is made clear above though, pubs, bars and restaurants MUST taken everybody’s contact details upon arrival.
How long will they last for?
The rules implemented by Ms Sturgeon appear to be in place for the foreseeable future, as of August 14.
Ms Sturgeon said: “To say that the incident in Aberdeen is deeply regrettable is an understatement.
Most read in News
“But it underlines an extremely important point: any time one of us fails to abide by the rules, we put others at risk and give this virus the chance to come roaring back.
“We need to do everything we can to stop it in its tracks and that is why we are expanding the mandatory use of face coverings in more indoor public spaces, and will be implementing further regulations for the hospitality sector.
“Many of these measures should already be in place as part of the guidance, but in order to keep the sector open – safely – we are now placing them in law.”
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300