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#COVIDRULES

Pubs and restaurants in many areas of Scotland will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from next week, the first minister has announced. Nicola Sturgeon said the move would allow licensed premises in level two of the country's new five-tier system to serve alcohol with a meal until 8pm.

@S_KETC said: “Has the penny finally dropped? None of her ridiculous restrictions have helped infections.”

@theverdis posted: “And visiting each other ’s homes is more dangerous than getting drunk in a confined space with large numbers of total strangers because . . . ?”

@Thomas57555988 commented: “If Boris had decided this, Starmer and Sturgeon would be pushing for an extension of the ban.”

@stramashtoo remarked: “I’m at a complete loss as to what’s going on and where so I’m staying home with my dogs and my bottle. Drink of choice Pernod but wine, gin and Prosecco appreciated too.”

@honestman2709 said: “More than half the country will be in tier 3, covering pretty much the entire Central Belt, so don’t get too excited.”

@kevin32thomas commented: “The greatest game of Simon Says continues.”

@rain_again posted: “Pubs can open but can’t sell alcohol. Why would an owner open a pub, paying staff and all other costs, to serve soft drinks to no one?”

@Susy412 said: “No pub is going to open to sell juice, and restaurants closing at 6pm when most people are back at work is pointless. She's going to kill the hospitality trade with this.”

@Mrgaryvalentine agreed: “Would be like opening a coffee shop that’s not allowed to sell coffee.”

@Oldesilver commented: “This is just a move to try and get acceptance of rules that have no place in our country. Nobody pay any heed to it and if businesses unite the government will fold. Enough of this control.”

@marcmcewan_80 posted: “If you’re going to get it you’re going to get it! Just open the world back up and crack on at your own risk!”

@dpeccles added: “Why would anyone want to go to a pub that didn't serve alcohol and which you had to leave by 6pm? That's not helpful for the business concerned and is just a way of avoiding giving them any kind of financial help even though their business is likely to be unable to function.”