I’D LIKE A G&T TOO ADMITS STURGEON
Backlash grows over refusal to let pubs open beer gardens
NICOLA Sturgeon admitted she was looking forward to a G&T in a beer garden as she faced a backlash for keeping pubs shut.
Owners of pubs and restaurants reacted furiously after the First Minister left them out of the lockdown easing measures, despite hope they would be able to open outdoor seating areas.
As the backlash continued yesterday, Miss Sturgeon said she had sympathy with the industry, which fears thousands of jobs could go if they cannot open soon with the two-metre social-distancing rule relaxed.
At her daily briefing, she said: ‘I very much hope to see people able to have a pint or, as some of us would prefer, a glass of wine or a gin and tonic in a beer garden before too long.’
The hospitality sector had questioned why they could not have customers sitting outside but families could gather in their gardens.
Miss Sturgeon said: ‘There is some evidence about how this virus transmits that says in particular circumstance it can be more risky in terms of transmission.
‘In circumstances where you are breathing differently – now that may be in a gym where you are exercising and in pubs, even outdoors, that is if you are in a noisy environment... and there are lots of people there and people are having alcohol, maybe there is more shouting than normal, that’s what some of the risks are.’
Miss Sturgeon added: ‘If a couple more weeks before we have the ability to have a drink in a beer garden means we can keep this virus really suppressed... and maybe get our schools back much closer to normal in August, I think most people would think that is a good balance to try and strike.’
While Miss Sturgeon stressed that the ‘virus hasn’t gone away’, she insisted ‘there is no doubt the virus in Scotland is now firmly in retreat’.
Pubs and restaurants across Scotland had been preparing to open outdoor seating areas, as the Scottish Government’s routemap out of lockdown had initially included them in phase two – but the hospitality sector was left disappointed on Thursday.
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: ‘The First Minister’s announcement is a bitter blow for Scotland’s hospitality sector. With the decision now delayed until July 2, operators face another anxious period for the survival of their businesses.
‘Without question, health and safety must come before profit, but the First Minister’s comment that “there is emerging evidence that places such as pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission” will do nothing to alleviate customer confidence in returning to our pubs and bars.
‘The challenge of rebuilding our industry just got harder.’
National Clinical Director Jason Leitch admitted he had ‘sympathy’ for businesses who had been preparing to bring back staff and get their businesses ready.
He said beer gardens present a specific risk as people would be allowed to meet in a ‘less controlled way’. He added: ‘I think we need a little bit more time, a little bit more data and a little bit more advice before we can reassure the First Minister and the Cabinet that we can safely take this step.’
But pub and restaurant bosses have warned of the threat to their livelihoods, with many forced to close for good.
Award-winning restaurant The Tower, in Edinburgh, announced yesterday that it will not reopen after lockdown with the loss of 37 members of staff.
The business, above the National Museums of Scotland, is owned by restaurateur James Thomson.
‘Rebuilding just got harder’