Lockdown changes see first openings for hospitality sector
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Further phase 2 changes came into effect yesterday, in particular sections of the hospitality sector which saw various venues open up outdoor locations.
Speaking during her daily briefing the First Minister said: "The change I want to speak about in particular, is one which I know many people have been eagerly awaiting.
"In Scotland, outdoor hospitality venues – such as pavement cafes and beer gardens are able to reopen.
"Indoor hospitality will have to wait a little longer – it isn’t due to restart until July 15th.
"But for our hospitality and tourism sector, the reopening marks a significant step.
"It’s one which the sector has been working towards, for some time.
"In June, at the start of phase 2 – we published guidance to help hospitality businesses prepare for a safe reopening.
"And as I mentioned last week, I visited a beer garden in Edinburgh – on Friday to see for myself how those preparations were going.
"I was impressed with the kinds of measures which had been put in place.
"They included new procedures to collect customers’ contact details; new signs to promote physical distancing and hand hygiene; and new perspex screens to protect staff and customers.
"Scotland’s hospitality and tourism businesses are working hard, to prepare for this reopening.
"So I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the sector, who is playing their part. I know how incredibly hard things have been, over these past few months.
"Your efforts – and your patience – are hugely appreciated."
She continued: "The Government is determined to do all we can, to make this reopening a success.
"We know that implementing some of the safety and physical distancing measures, can create specific challenges and of course reduce the number of people who can be in these places at any given time.
"That why we’ve tried to give businesses a bit more freedom, in their use of outdoor space.
"Today we’ve taken an additional step, we’ve asked local authorities to put in place a temporary relaxation of planning controls, so that it’s easier for businesses to use public space.
"Among other things, that could provide them with additional space for physically distant seating.
"That should help businesses, in adapting to the new requirements.
"And I hope it will further ensure that our hospitality sector can reopen in a safe and physically distanced way."
She stressed: "Now, businesses and the government have an big role to play here.
"But of course, all of us – as customers – have responsibilities too.
"For a start, check in advance with the place you intend going to.
"They might have a booking system in place, to limit the number of people turning up.
"So it’s best to find out beforehand – rather than have a wasted trip.
"When you are out, you need cooperate and comply with what is asked of you.
"That includes providing contact details, to the venue, as part of our Test and Protect system.
"If you’re not willing to do that, you shouldn’t bother going at all.
"Because, as we’ve seen in Dumfries and Galloway, that system is vital to help us control outbreaks when they occur.
"You should not be meeting with people from more than two households other than your own at this stage – and in groups of no more than eight.
"In fact, some venues might limit gatherings to one single household.
"You should still be physically distancing from anyone out with your own household.
"And you should still be maintaining rigorous hygiene measures.
"There should be hand sanitizer provided – so use it, or take your own with you.
"Businesses should be cleaning any communal areas anyway – but hand hygiene is good practice and it reduces the risk of transmission.
"If you do see a crowd gathering – particularly at a bottleneck point - avoid it.
"Those are really risky situations so don’t take that risk
"In short, if you’re out somewhere, and there are no clear safety measures in place, then you should really consider leaving or not going in in the first place because if as you go to a bar or a restaurant outside right now, if it feels entirely normal, exactly as it was before this pandemic, then something is wrong and measures are not being properly implemented."
Locally, venues that welcomed customers included the Banks of Ury in Inverurie, the Burnett Arms, Kemnay, The Square in Kintore, The New Inn Hotel in Ellon and The Scullery at Newmachar Hotel in Newmachar.
Venues which have opened or are set to open are welcomed to contact advertisernews@hnmedia.co.uk.
