Pubs are being ‘punished’ in Covid-19 fight
A campaign group that represents a number of pubs across Renfrewshire has branded the new 10pm curfew on hospitality venues as “unfair”.
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, says the new Covid-19 restriction, due to come into effect tomorrow, will have a harrowing impact on those who work in the sector.
The rule, announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday, will be enforced alongside other measures to reduce the spread of the virus within venues including increased hygiene, face coverings, table service and a maximum of six people within a group.
Joe Crawford, CAMRA’s director in Scotland, said: “Pub-goers and publicans alike want to stop the spread of Covid-19, but this curfew is an arbitrary restriction that unfairly targets the hospitality sector and will have a devastating impact on pubs, jobs and local communities.
“CAMRA is now asking the Scottish Government to publish the evidence that pubs or restaurants are the source of more transmissions than other sectors across the country – if they aren’t, then why are they being singled out for nationwide restrictions?”
He added: “This is punishing responsible publicans across the country who are providing a covid-secure environment for their communities, while already operating at greatly reduced levels in their efforts to keep their customers safe.”
CAMRA is calling for increased financial support for the hospitality industry, arguing venues will closes and jobs will be lost without sector specific support.
It said the hospitality business rate relief scheme must be extended for another year and demanded the UK Government extends the job retention scheme far past the current October 31 expiration date.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the 10pm curfew balanced the needs of businesses and the economy with the need to curb the spread of the virus.
She too called for an extension of the furlough scheme to support people in the hospitality industry and others that are particularly struggling as a direct result of the pandemic.