Confusion at new ‘socialise outside’ message
SCOTLAND’S battered hospitality industry has condemned new guidance issued by the SNP Government telling people to socialise outdoors.
Despite the removal of all Covid laws and high uptake of the vaccination, the Scottish Government has brought back a longabandoned message telling people to avoid indoor socialising where possible.
In a new social media advertising campaign by its public health department and NHS Scotland, it said: ‘Covid sense is socialising outdoors when you can.’
But the campaign was branded ‘confusing’ and ‘outdated’ since its own official guidance makes no reference to avoiding indoor socialising.
Business leaders say that extra support must be provided to allow firms to open outdoor spaces without planning permission if guidance urging against indoor socialising is to resume.
The current relaxed rules, which allow firms to alter outdoor trading areas without obtaining consent, end next month.
Stephen Montgomery, spokesman for the Scottish Hospitality Group, said: ‘They need to allow outdoor trading to continue. One needs to go hand in hand with the other.
‘If they are going to push that message they have to even it up by allowing us the same rights as our colleagues in England, who are allowed outdoor trading without any restriction on their days.’
Daniel Johnson, economy spokesman for Scottish Labour, said: ‘We need a proper plan of action to tackle Covid – not scattergun and confusing scheduled tweets that contradict the Government.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Government put a wide range of measures in place to support hospitality during the Covid-19 restrictions and remains in regular dialogue with sector representatives.
‘That included writing on several occasions urging planning authorities to relax planning controls where appropriate to help businesses to diversify their operations and support recovery, including giving explicit support for the use of outdoor spaces for hospitality.
‘While that guidance ends this September, nearly a year’s notice was intentionally given of its withdrawal.’