First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that the hospitality industry will be under extra scrutiny following the move to impose social gathering restrictions on two more Council areas – Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire – and she didn’t rule out a more aggressive lockdown if positive cases continued to rise.
The two councils now join Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire with restrictions imposed which ban indoor gatherings at home. One million people in these areas cannot meet other household groups at their homes either in these areas or elsewhere. But, for the time being, they can meet in hospitality venues and gardens.
The Scottish Government has stated that the hospitality sector would be monitored closely in the coming days to see whether restrictions should be extended.
Nicola Sturgeon said local authorities would”pay close attention to hospitality” and advised customers to act responsibly while using bars and restaurants.
SNP Inverclyde Councillor Chris McEleny, however, has urged the Scottish Government to close pubs. Saying, ‘the decision to reimpose lockdown restrictions on all pubs must now be on the table.”
But Nicola Sturgeon has stated the evidence suggests that the transmission is coming from meeting in homes which is also demonstrated by Police Scotland figures. It reported an increase of 23% incidences over the weekend of 4th September to 6th September following reports of noise, public nuisance and disturbance compared to the previous weekend. Officers attended 2,127 incidents across Scotland an increase of 449 on the previous weekend last year.
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said, “These figures show that we will intervene, using the powers we have to disperse indoor gatherings which breach the regulations.” He reiterated, “We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort and stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.”