Reopening plans for Scotland revealed

Nicola Sturgeon has revealed how she plans to open up parts of Scotland's society over the next two months, including new restrictions for the country's pubs and bars. 

Under the first minister's current plans, from 26 April, Scotland's hospitality sector would be able to reopen outdoors for the service of alcohol, and potentially open indoors for non-alcohol service.

Venues trading outdoors would need to close by 10pm, with indoor service restricted to an 8pm curfew. Those customers visiting hospitality venues indoors from 26 April can do so in groups of up to four people from two different households. Six people from up to three households could be able to meet in outdoor pub areas.

From 17 May, there will be a further reopening of hospitality, where bars and pubs can stay open until 10.30pm indoors, with alcohol service permitted and guests visiting within two-hour time slots. 

“There is going to be significant disappointment from businesses that hospitality will be so tightly restricted in the first weeks of the reopening," says UKHospitality Scotland executive director Willie Macleod. "We had proposed that alcohol be served indoors with a meal, so for that not to be allowed is a major disappointment. Restricting outdoor spaces to just six people from three households will likewise be a significant barrier to viability. The curfews, 10pm for outdoors and 8pm for indoors, will also seriously restrict businesses’ ability to break even. These businesses are, in many cases, only just clinging on."

Grants of up to up to £19,500 for hospitality businesses will be paid in April to help businesses reopen progressively. These one-off grants will replace ongoing Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) payments. Eligible businesses must have applied to the SFBF by 22 March in order to receive these payments.