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It is indeed a very strange sight, one of the most energetic cities in the UK calling at 6pm on a Friday night.
At the George IV pub in Edinburgh the drinkers booed – in a friendly way – when the bell rang for the last orders.
The Scottish government ordered the closure of all pubs, bars and restaurants in the country’s central belt, where most of the people live, for the next 16 days.
Outside of those areas, venues may remain open between 6 a.m. M. And 6 p.m. M., But alcoholic beverages are not served inside.
The measure took effect at midnight on Friday.
For bargoers who took their last sip, the restrictions left a sour taste, but for hospitality workers it’s far worse.
Publican Ruairi O’Neil says the industry is being unfairly targeted by the rise in infections and the economic cost will be enormous.
He said: “People are losing their livelihoods and there are no jobs because we are about to go into a massive recession, so that’s one of the things we feel, they tell us to close but there is no solution …. . or light at the end of the tunnel “.
For many companies, what is happening here feels like a huge setback.
But the government says that “breaking the circuit” is vital to bringing the virus back under control.
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However, in a further blow to the hotel industry, public health experts such as Professor Linda Bauld from Edinburgh college, they warn that it may take longer.
She said: “I think these measures will have an impact, but the big question is: is 16 days enough?
“From an epidemiological point of view, it may take a little longer and that’s very discouraging for people to hear it, but I think it will be a review after those 16 days and then we’ll have to see.”
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At 6 p.m. sharp, the doors of the George IV were closed and gallons of beer, literally money, were spilled down the drain.
It would be undrinkable in 16 days.
A few minutes earlier, the last drinkers were shown the door, stumbling through the cold streets to make their way home for an early night.
The Scottish government says the closures will be a short and abrupt action.
But for Scotland’s pubs and bars, where many businesses are in their late stages, it feels more like a heavy economic hit that many places may not survive.
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