Taking first steps to a new normal
Pubs, hairdressers, self-catering facilities, museums and hotels across Perth and Kinross were raising a glass this week to the news they could reopen as early as next month.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Wednesday that Scotland is ready to take its next steps out of the coronavirus lockdown.
Among the measures put forward were the opening of self-catering accommodation and second homes without shared facilities from July 3 and outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens from July 6.
From July 3, people will also be able to travel anywhere as part of phase two of the route map out of the lockdown.
As the nation moves into phase three all holiday accommodation and – in a case of pints before prayers – pubs and restaurants will be able to open indoors with physical distancing from July 15.
Hairdressers, museums, galleries, cinemas and libraries will also be permitted to open from July 15.
Outdoor contact sport for children can resume on July 13 and three households will be able to meet indoors from July 10, the same day people will be able to meet in extended groups outdoors.
The government has warned these are indicative dates and are dependant on the further suppression of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other changes confirmed this week included opening non-essential shops with street access, as well as outdoor markets.
All of the rules are dependant on physical distancing being implemented, with the government currently looking at whether to decrease that from two metres to one.
Frank Burger-seed, who owns the Venue in Perth among other facilities, welcomed the news.
He told the Perthshire Advertiser: “Nightclubs won’t be allowed until the next phase. We’ll aim to open what we can on July 15 and the nightclub in the next phase after that.
“It’s very positive news if it gets the Perth economy going again.”
The tourism industry was also breathing a sigh of relief.
Robin Menzies, managing director of Mains of Taymouth Estate in Kenmore, could be able to open earlier than planned.
He told the PA: “I’m delighted and so pleased for all the people who own holiday houses.
“They will be delighted they can come and use their holiday property at last.
“It’s good getting selfcatering arranged for earlier in the summer than had been indicated before.
“We have already lost three really good months but July and August is really our bread and butter.
“The key thing that’s helping now is the one-metre rule. People are going to have to take responsibility.
“We want everyone to feel relaxed and to also feel safe.”
Zsolt Balogh, managing director of the Atholl Arms Hotel in Dunkeld, said there are issues with recording data about restaurant and bar guests and also said a change to one metre for social distancing would be a big help: “I’m really looking forward to the change in the social distancing rule.
“With us getting one metre plus social distancing in line with England we will be able to increase capacity by 35 per cent. That’s huge for us with restaurants.
“It’s great the time to reopen is moving closer.
“Summer is short and when you look out on a day like today, which was 23˚C, you think ‘if only we could take guests right now business would be great on a day like today’.”
A spokesperson for Culture Perth and Kinross also welcomed the news and said it was working toward re-establishing key services.
They added: “We are currently considering sectoral and government guidance and working with Perth and Kinross Council to develop our plans and ensure we can offer welcoming and safe spaces for customers and staff.
“We will be announcing details of services and how and where these can be accessed in due course and in the meantime would encourage those keen to find out more to sign up to our mailing list via our website and be amongst the first to get further information.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart, said: “The hospitality sector will be particularly pleased to have sight of these dates.
“I would encourage people to continue to follow the current guidance on suppressing the virus.
“It is only through continued support from the public that we can ensure the reopening of hospitality businesses can go ahead when planned.
“It is clear that things are not going to look the same as they did when we all last visited our favourite pubs and restaurants and it is clear that even a trip to the hairdressers will feel very different.
“Through things like only having table service, keeping a record of all customers’ details and good hygiene routines, we can hopefully get businesses back to being able to welcome customers as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser also welcomed the news but said self-caterers should have been given clarity weeks ago.
He added: “I have been calling for such plans for weeks, with it being completely illogical that these properties would reopen on the same timescales as other accommodation providers.
“While this earlier reopening will give them a boost, the overwhelming majority would have been ready to welcome visitors when phase two began last week with strict cleaning protocols in place.”
It’s very positive news if it gets the Perth economy going again