‘ You know if you’re a cafe or restaurant,’ says Sturgeon
NICOLA STURGEON said business owners should know if they are running a café or a restaurant as new lockdown measures come into force.
All pubs and licences restaurants had to close at 6pm last night and only cafes, licensed or unlicensed could stay open between 6am and 6pm until October 25.
The First Minister addressed concerns that some operators did not know if they had to shut or not as there is no separate licence for cafes, pubs or restaurant only a premises licence.
Ms Sturgeon said a definition had been agreed that would be applied.
She said: “The definition of a café is whose primary business is the sale of non- alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals.”
She added: “I think people who go to a restaurant for a meal with wine know the difference and I think the business owners will know that distinction.”
She said the £ 40million package of support would see businesses either get a grant of £ 1500 or £ 1000 for the two- week shutdown depending on the rateable value of their premises.
Ms Sturgeon added if owners are in doubt whether they are a café or a restaurant they should close.
She said: “If people want us to come down firmly on one side or the other it will be on the side of closure. I think most will know what they are. If a premises is in doubt they should close.
“If there is a lack of clarity it is because we are trying to be more flexible.”
She also told people not to gather in houses to watch the Old
Firm match next weekend.
The First Minister said: “We have to be able to have a degree of trust. Don’t have house parties if you can’t go to the pub.” Meanwhile, police have said they will increase patrols to ensure the new rules are enforced. Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, said: “Officers will be highly visible in communities over the weekend to engage with the public, explain the new advice, guidance and restrictions and encourage people to do the right thing.
“From the start of this pandemic, the people of Scotland have demonstrated impressive personal responsibility. They know that following the advice and adhering to the rules is the best way to combat the spread of coronavirus.” Police Scotland said they responded to 365 reports of house gatherings or parties and 271 were found to amount to a breach of regulations.
Officers issued 106 fixed penalties and made 18 arrests in relation to house gatherings.
Mr Livingstone said:
“Despite overwhelming levels of co- operation and support, I am concerned that a small minority of people continue to host or participate in house parties and house gatherings.
“While restrictions have changed quickly and often, I do not believe anyone in Scotland can be in any doubt that house gatherings and house parties allow the virus to spread and are unlawful.
“It is very clear that, with some legitimate exemptions, people should not be visiting each other’s houses.
“Where we encounter wilful, repeated, persistent or flagrant breaches we will, as the public would expect and support, act decisively to enforce the law.”