Here’s how we might be allowed to eat out again soon
Pub beer gardens and restaurants with outdoor space may soon be allowed to reopen, but how would it work, asks Rosalind Erskine
Last week Nicola Sturgeon revealed longterm plans for easing Scotland’s lockdown, which set out a timeline for pub beer gardens and restaurants with outdoor space to reopen. While timings remain uncertain, the plans will be under review every three weeks, meaning pub beer gardens and al fresco restaurants could reopen in June.
The First Minister stressed: “This will be a very gradual process as we monitor how changing behaviour affects the infection rate and we will only be able to move toward easing more restrictions if we continue to work together to suppress the virus. Protecting lives will continue to be our number one priority – and I am confident people across Scotland will continue to pull together in this national endeavour as we return to some kind of normality.”
Again, progress made with this route map out of lockdown will be assessed every three weeks, with the Scottish Government clear that the current advice to people is to stay at home, with only essential journeys permitted. Stage one of the Government’s four-phase plan to lift lockdown is scheduled to begin tomorrow, with Scots allowed to meet people from outside their own household, sunbathe and take part in some non-contact sports like golf.
Phase one, will be under regular review until 18 June, when a detailed review will determine if we can move to phase two, which could mean some pub beer gardens and restaurants that have outdoor space could reopen.these will be subject to physical distancing and increased hygiene routines.
According to proposals put forward by The Trade association Ukhospitality there could be a ban on drinking at the bar, no queuing to order drinks, cutlery and condiments no longer on tables, closure of kids’ areas in beer gardens and well spaced-out tables.
This comes as a range of big name chefs called on the government to support the industry through the coronavirus crisis. In a letter to Nicola Sturgeon, top chefs and restaurateurs, including Michelinstarred Tom Kitchin and Martin Wishart, predict Scotland could lose its international reputation for food and drink if their concerns are ignored. “Social distancing simply does not work in most restaurants, bars and hotels,” they say. “If furlough ends and restaurants, bars and hotels are allowed to reopen but with social distancing enforced and no income from major events and festivals, the result will be a tidal wave of business closures and mass redundancies, increasing Scottish unemployment and the strain on the welfare system.”
Since the publication of the route out of lockdown, many people have come up with ideas as to how best to use the outdoor space for socially distanced dining or drinking. One came from architect and owner of Glasgow’s Crabshakk restaurant, John Macleod. His drawings show the busy Argyle Street shut to cars so that a glasshouse structure can be built outside of the street’s many eateries. This would ensure social distancing for diners and give restaurants and bars that don’t have their own outdoor space a chance to reopen. John shared his drawing alongside a letter from Glasgow’s Lord Provost. In it, he said: “If social distancing becomes the norm at least for a period then we need to have plans to mitigate the commercial damage from local to global. We propose to pedestrianise the street -– from Kelvingrove Street to Derby Street – and cover over like many outdoor markets. Road closure and diversion for maybe even one block only to Sauchiehall Street is required. The existing wide footpaths both sides would have rain cover but be clear for public and service through traffic – pretty much as is. Details are all for ironing out but if everyone feels this has to happen, all the detail can be sorted if the will is there.”