So just WHEN will pubs reopen? Nicola Sturgeon confirms Scottish hospitality industry will remain CLOSED well into July despite a ‘gradual opening’ of its economy – as Boris Johnson refuses to to confirm July 4 date for English boozers to reopen
- She will update Scotland about its lockdown in Holyrood this afternoon
- It could see Scottish pubs and restaurants freed to serve customers outdoors
- Boris Johnson announced July 4 reopening for England but yet to be confirmed
The First Minister will set out the next stage of her country’s routemap out of the restrictive lockdown this afternoon, which could see boozers freed to serve drinkers outdoors
Nicola Sturgeon today dashed the hopes of Scots hoping to head to pubs for a pint soon by saying the country’s hospitality industry will remain closed well into July.
The First Minister announced a ‘gradual opening’ of the Scottish economy this afternoon that includes lifting many retail restrictions.
But she dashed Scots hopes of a cool, thirst-quenching pint as she said a date for reopening pubs and restaurants would not be determined until at least July 2.
It raises questions about when hospitality businesses across Britain will be allowed to reopen.
Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to confirm that English pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open on July 4, and to heed calls to reduce the two-metre social distancing rules.
He announced the prospective start date for the hospitality industry last month but as it approaches No10 has been completely unwilling to confirm it is still viable, despite increasingly worried pleas from industry for clarity.
The silence will fuel speculation that pubs across the UK will remain closed for weeks to come, at the risk of tens of thousands of job losses in the sector.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: ‘There is emerging evidence that places like pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission, so it is really important we better understand this evidence and what further mitigation might be necessary to protect people in such spaces before we permit them to reopen.’
‘I appreciate this will be hard for the hospitality industry. I want to give an assurance to businesses in that sector that we will continue to support preparations for reopening – for example by encouraging local authorities to facilitate the use of open outdoor spaces which pubs and restaurants can use for additional space.
‘I expect to have this further scientific advice in two weeks and I will set out then, hopefully on or around 2 July, whether outdoor hospitality can re-open during phase 2 – which I hope will be the case – or if further mitigations are required ahead of phase 3.’
Addressing the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: ‘There is emerging evidence that places like pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission
Outoor markets could also be given the go ahead to reopen, along with pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces, as long as physical distancing and increased hygiene routines are in place. Pictured is the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore
Ms Sturgeon this morning tweeted: At 12.30pm in the Scottish Parliament I’ll set out next steps in easing lockdown’
Any such move would place huge pressure on Boris Johnson to confirm that English pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open on July 4 and to heed calls to reduce the two-metre social distancing rules
It is anticipated the First Minister will confirm the country is moving into phase two of her four phase plan for ending lockdown when she addresses MSPs at Holyrood at lunchtime.
An updated version of the plan is also set to be published by the Scottish Government.
Under the current proposals, moving to phase two could see Scots allowed to meet larger groups of people outside – but also meet people from another household indoors, with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.
Outoor markets could also be given the go ahead to reopen, along with pubs and restaurants with outdoor spaces, as long as physical distancing and increased hygiene routines are in place.
Ms Sturgeon has already said she hopes to be able to give a date of when non-essential shops could start to open up again.
Meanwhile more services in the NHS could start up again, with the current document suggesting an expansion in the range of GP services and eye care, as well as an increase in availability of dental services.
However the First Minister has stressed that not all restrictions will be eased at the same time, with a phased approach to this likely.
While she has said she is ‘very hopeful’ that Scotland can progress to phase two, Ms Sturgeon said last week: ‘We may not be able to do everything in phase two but I hope that we can do certainly at least some of that.’
Figures on Wednesday showed there have been a total of 4,070 coronavirus deaths, while 18,066 people had tested positive for the virus.