It’s now more critical than ever that your customers strictly observe social distancing rules or Scottish hospitality could be hit with further Covid-19 restrictions on the back of the UK government making gatherings of more than six people illegal in pubs and restaurants in England from Monday 14th September with a fine of £100 for first offenders, doubling on each further repeat offence up to £3,200.
There have been 176 positive tests across Scotland since Monday and the Director of public health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has warned that the rise in cases in some local authorities in Scotland could be driven by the hospitality industry.
Speaking about the lockdown restrictions in Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, the Director of public health for NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeDr Linda de Caestecker, said, “When we examine the rate per 100,000 population it is highest in West Dunbartonshire where many cases relate to family gatherings and parties. The next highest rate is in Glasgow city where more cases are associated with visits to bars and restaurants.”
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses in England will also be forced to collect customers’ details to aid with contact tracing, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said, instead of it just being voluntary.
The new rules in England also apply to homes and parks, but not to household bubbles of more than six, or gatherings for work or education.
Matt Hancock also issued a warning to young people this week not to spread the virus to older, more vulnerable relatives, telling people in their late teens and early 20s: “Don’t kill your gran by catching coronavirus and then passing it on.”
#SaveOurPubs
We’ll keep you updated as the story develops after Nicola Sturgeon’s daily lunchtime briefing.