The Scotsman

Pubs flouting lockdown rules risk ‘longer and longer’ restrictio­ns

- By SCOTT MACNAB

Pubs and restaurant­s which flout lock down rules in central Scotland are risking the prospect of “longer and longer restrictio­ns” being imposed.

It has emerged that a number of establishm­ents in Glasgow have been served with final warnings by the council after they remained open despite a blanket closure being ordered across central Scotland.

First Minister Ni cola Sturgeon and National C li nical Director Professor Jason Leitch have appealed for establishm­ents follow the rules - and warned a failure to do so may lead to harsher measures.

Caf es which previously served alcohol have been allowed remain open provid

ed they end liquor sales. It has prompted some establishm­ents to seek to class themselves in this bracket to escape closure.

But Ms Sturgeon said :" If what happens when we give a bit of flexibilit­y, for good reason, is that everybody tries to maximise that flexibilit­y and push the edges of it and find the loopholes to take advantage of it, unfortunat­ely given the reasons we' re having to put these restrictio­ns in place, what that means is we will need to give less flexibilit­y in future.

"If these restrictio­ns are to work and therefore be in place for a shorter as opposed to a longer period of time, it involves everybody trying to work within the spirit of them.

"The spirit of them is to reduce as far as we can right now unnecessar­y social interactio­n."

All pub sand restaurant­s across central Scotland have been ordered to shut down under the current restrictio­ns, which have now been extended until 2 November.

 ??  ?? 0 Pleas for establishm­ents to follow the rules
0 Pleas for establishm­ents to follow the rules

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