Tougher restrictions would compound woes of hospitality sector

Hospitality businesses in the city are bracing themselves for tougher restrictions from Monday when a new five-tier system for Scotland comes into place.

According to a letter from the Scottish Government to Cosla chief executive Sally Loudon, seen by the The Courier, Dundee could move to Tier 3 restrictions because of concern over rising numbers of cases in the city.

No final decisions have been made, and further discussions will take place with local authorities in the coming days.

If confirmed, Tier 3 status would lead to tighter restrictions for hospitality firms than are currently in place in the city.

Under the existing rules in Dundee, no alcohol can be served indoors, with pubs and restaurants ordered to close at 6pm, but alcohol can be served to customers outside until 10pm.

Tier 3 restrictions would mean alcohol could no longer be sold indoors or outdoors, though hospitality businesses may be permitted to remain open under strict conditions and restricted opening hours.

Ta k e awa y s for both alcohol and food would be allowed to continue under the existing arrangements.

Hotels and B&Bs could be restricted to accommodating locals or essential workers only, with non-essential travel banned.

When it comes to socialising, the current measures would remain in place – so no indoor mixing beyond those already living in a household, and only six people from tw o households are permitted to meet outside.

On the Scottish Government’s strategic framework document setting out its approach, it offers the following explanation around “Level 2 and 3” restrictions.

“Within Levels 2 and 3, we would expect to see increased incidence of the virus, with multiple clusters and increased community transmission.

“There would be a graduated series of protective measures to tackle the virus, focusing on key areas of risk – broadly, indoor settings where household mixing takes place with less, or less well- observed, physical distancing and mitigations.

“The measures would be intended to be in place for relatively short periods (two to four weeks), and only for as long as required to get the virus down to a low, sustainable level.”

Within Levels 2 and 3, we would expect to see increased incidence of the virus

Tier 3 status would mean pubs having to close.