New rules in place as Scotland moves out of lockdown

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chats with Nic Wood during a visit to Cold Town House in Edinburgh, where she saw the changes in place to keep staff and customers safe in the outdoor hospitality industry. Photo by Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images.

Anyone planning to sit in at a premises will be asked for their name and telephone number for the business to log along with the date and time of their visit.

If someone who has visited a venue tests positive for coronavirus, Scotland’s Test and Protect service may request details of anyone else present in order to contact them and advise them to isolate.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the Cold Town House in Edinburgh to see some of the changes implemented to support staff and customer safety.

She said: “The sacrifices made by the public have suppressed this virus, protected our health service and ultimately saved lives and I know those sacrifices have not always been easy.

“I hope that as we take these first gradual steps out of lockdown people will begin to feel more of the sense of normality that we have worked so hard for – although it is important to remember that the virus has not gone away so we cannot get complacent.

“No beer garden or café should feel the same as it did before. The vast majority of the hospitality industry will be following the rules and putting in place new procedures to help control the virus.

“People should look for those safety measures and be aware of the need to follow the facts at all times when out in the community. If you don’t see those safety measures, or you don’t feel you can follow appropriate hygiene rules, than don’t take the risk.

“If we continue to stick to the rules we will be able to drive the virus down further and live less restricted lives in the weeks and months ahead. Until then support local businesses if you can, socialise safely and make sure that while you enjoy yourself you also protect others.”

Stephen Montgomery, president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, added: “The SLTA welcomes the reopening of our sector today, with the first phase, our beer gardens.

“We understand that there will be changes in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 which we are sure customers will understand.

“We would encourage customers to keep to physical distancing measures and work with premises to ensure public health is maintained, including providing staff with contact details to support Test and Protect.”