Kristen Zanoni  |  October 9, 2020

Category: Covid-19

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The Royal Mile in Edinburgh - Scotland pub closures

As a number of new coronavirus cases has been spiked, all pubs and restaurants in central Scotland have shut down effective at 6 p.m. today.

The new Scotland pub closures extend through 25 October and apply to all licensed bars and restaurants in central Scotland, including in Edinburgh and Glasgow, according to the BBC. Over 3 million people are affected by the closures. 

The pub-closure measure does not apply outside central Scotland, but bars in other parts of the country are only allowed to serve alcohol outside.

Over 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Scotland in the 24 hours up to 10 a.m. on 7 October, according to the BBC. The number of coronavirus patients sent to the hospital has risen from 54 to 319. 

All licensed pubs and restaurants are required to close entirely under the new Scotland pub closures guidelines, but takeaways in restaurants and cafes that do not hold a liquor licence can stay open until 6 p.m., according to the BBC.

  • Starting 10 October, all bingo halls, casinos, indoor bowling alleys and pool halls will close for a fortnight. 
  • Contact sports for 18+ players is being deferred for the next two weeks. Professional sports are excluded from this rule. 
  • Indoor group exercise is banned, but gyms can stay open for solo exercise. 
  • For the next fortnight, outdoor live events will be banned. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament, saying the estimation for total coronavirus cases is only 13% of the highest it was in March, the BBC reported. But, she said, the number of cases is escalating rapidly. 

Sign in window reads, "Sorry, we're closed please come back again" - Scotland pub closuresAccording to the evidence Sturgeon presented, if the current rate of spread stays the same, the number of coronavirus cases will be at March levels by late October.

There has been an increase in cases throughout Scotland, but the central areas are attracting the most concern; therefore, Scotland pub closures were enforced.

The Scotland pub closures are “intended to be short, sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection,” Sturgeon said.

Although the Scotland pub closures are meant to be a helpful measure to slow the spread of coronavirus, the new rule is going to be troublesome for businesses and citizens.

While businesses are already struggling, the Scotland pub closures will be adding to their loss of revenue. Tourism and hospitality industries may be affected by the new measure.

“This is a total catastrophe,” UKHospitality executive director Willie Macleod said in response to the Scotland pub closures rule. “Scottish hospitality is already on the brink and is unable to look ahead with any degree of confidence.”

Macleod added: “Forced closures will spell the end for many, many venues which have no cash flow and will have exhausted their reserves. Severe restrictions to those businesses not forced to close will amount to a closure for many. It is likely to be the final straw for many that were only just hanging on. We are going to see businesses fold and many jobs lost.”

In addition to the Scotland pub closures, other mandatory measures are still in place and some new rules have been established, the BBC reported.

Shops and supermarkets have been ordered to reintroduce social distancing with the two-metre-apart rule and one-way systems.

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor settings, as well as on public transport.

Citizens are advised to not ride in a vehicle with people from another household. If they must share a vehicle, the windows should be down and face masks should be worn.

There will not be travel restrictions in Scotland yet, but people from elsewhere are being advised to not visit central Scotland. Nonessential foreign travel is still being advised against. 

What is your opinion about the Scotland pub closures? Do you think it will do more harm than good, have no effect at all or be a tremendous help? Tell us in the comments.

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