Covid in Scotland: Hospitality Fears Over New Rules

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The new coronavirus restrictions “will sound the death knell” for some of Scotland’s hotel businesses, industry leaders have warned.

In central Scotland, where the infection rate is highest, pubs and restaurants will be closed for more than two weeks.

Elsewhere, hospitality venues will have reduced opening hours and will be prohibited from selling alcohol indoors.

The Scottish government said the companies would receive an additional £ 40 million in government support.

The new temporary measures will take effect at 18:00 BST on Friday and are expected to last until October 25.

Pubs and restaurants will be closed in five health council areas: Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Forth Valley, Lothian and Ayrshire and Arran, where around 3.4 million people live.

In other parts of Scotland, hospitality venues may open indoors from 06:00 to 18:00 to sell soft drinks and food, and patrons can enjoy alcoholic beverages in outdoor areas only until 22:00.

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Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that without such measures, by the end of October, infections could return to the levels seen at the beginning of the March pandemic, leading to a more intense lockdown.

She accepted that the restrictions would be tough on companies, especially as employer contributions to the licensing scheme have increased, but said £ 40 million would be made available to support the sector.

However, many companies and industry leaders reacted with dismay, complaining about the lack of consultation and claiming that hospitality was being unfairly targeted.

‘Death warrant’

Liz Cameron, Executive Director of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “These measures will sound the death knell for businesses in the hotel sector, especially pubs and bars.

“Restaurants and hotels, while remaining open, will also be limited in what they can offer and this will make a huge dent in their already reduced income.”

He said layoffs could increase as a result of the measures.

Rules for the five areas of health tips

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• All licensed venues, with the exception of resident hotels, will be closed both indoors and outdoors, although take out will be allowed.
• Cafes that do not have an alcoholic beverage license may remain open until 6:00 p.m.
• Billiard and billiard rooms, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will also close in all five health board areas for two weeks beginning October 10.
• Contact sports for people 18 and older will be suspended for the next two weeks, with the exception of professional sports.
• Indoor group exercise activities will not be allowed, although current rules remain in effect for those under 18 and gyms may remain open for individual exercise
• No live outdoor events will be allowed for the next fortnight.

There will be no travel ban in either area, but people in the central belt have been urged to avoid public transportation unless “absolutely necessary.”

And they have also been advised not to travel outside of the board of health area in which they live if it is not necessary.

Rules for the rest of Scotland

• Pubs, restaurants, and cafes are prohibited from selling alcohol indoors from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until October 25.
• They can open indoors from 06:00 to 18:00 to sell soft drinks and food.
• They can sell alcohol for outdoor areas until 22:00

Stephen Montgomery of the Scottish Hospitality Group, which represents several restaurant and bar groups, said: “The Prime Minister has effectively signed a death sentence for many companies in the Scottish hotel industry.”

He added that there would be a “catastrophic” economic cost.

Scotland’s Food and Drink Federation said it was “extremely disappointed” with the restrictions, while Scotland Food and Drink said the action was a “hammer blow”.

Andrew McRae of the Scottish Small Business Federation said: “Without sufficient support from the government, today’s measures could mean the last orders for many independent bars and restaurants.

“They will also have a significant impact on our tourism sector, our hotel supply chain and those that operate in our nighttime economy such as taxi drivers and takeout.”

‘I am at the end of my tie’

A bar owner said he was struggling to reassure his staff.

Michael McHugh, owner of Alexander’s Bar in Clydebank, told the BBC: “Now I am at my limit.

“I find it increasingly difficult to continually support my staff and say ‘don’t worry, your jobs are safe’ … how can you run a business when every two weeks they close?”

Another restaurateur told the BBC that “it was a bit heartbreaking … but it is what it is.”

He said it was an embarrassment for staff who had recently returned to work, that their shifts were later cut as a result of the curfew, only for companies to close again.

Changes in stores

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Stores across Scotland will be asked to revert to 2m physical distance this weekend and to reintroduce measures such as one-way systems.

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said many companies would be baffled by the request “in the absence of evidence to show that the stores are a source of infection.”

He added: “These additional restrictions may make it impractical for some to trade during this period, and the government must urgently provide details on the proposed support for these viable businesses.”

‘Full support’

However, many public health experts supported the changes, saying they were a necessary step.

Gabe Docherty, Chairman of the Scottish Directors of Public Health, said: “The measures announced today by the Prime Minister focused on those areas that are associated with the highest risk of transmission and have the full support of the Scottish Directors of Public Health. “.

“The increasing number of cases across various NHS Boards demonstrates the need for immediate action to stop the spread that we have seen in these areas over the past few weeks, and the potential for further transmission in broader parts of Scotland.

“Taking action now to restrict the spread of Covid in our communities will save lives, help protect our NHS, and as we begin to see a reduction in transmission, avoid the need for more extensive restrictions.”

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