DON’T THROW BUSINESS UNDER THE BUS
Warning as ‘rule of six’ comes into force
SCOTLAND’S new ‘rule of six’ poses a risk to shops, pubs and restaurants – amid fears they could again be forced to close. Business bosses say they have ‘reluctantly’ accepted new restrictions to tackle Covid-19, which will see socialising limited to only six people from two households – indoors and outdoors.
The Scottish Conservatives said that while they supported the move, the SNP Government must not throw ‘business under the bus’. Experts warned of a growing ‘frustration’ at the Covid-19 restrictions amid fears the new regulations could lead to job losses across the country.
The rules come into force today, and mean any group that exceeds the limits will not be able to meet
in pubs and restaurants. Fears have been raised this could lead to cancelled reservations and a drop in the numbers visiting high streets and town centres.
Yesterday it was revealed a further 244 people had tested positive for coronavirus – with more than 100 cases in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.
That area along with several others around Glasgow is also under strict restrictions meaning people cannot have others in their homes.
Scotland-wide restrictions limiting the number of people who can gather indoors and outdoors are introduced today. The ‘rule of six’ limits groups to only six people from two households, but does not include children under 12.
Scottish Conservative economy spokesman Maurice Golden said: ‘It’s an incredibly difficult time for Scotland’s economy. Many employees are worried they might lose their job and thousands of small businesses are struggling.
‘The Scottish Conservatives fully support measures that will suppress the virus and save lives, but the SNP don’t seem to understand that we can do that without throwing businesses under the bus.
‘At the same time as introducing reasonable public health measures, they could be bringing in measures to help businesses.’
Scotland’s hospitality sector was allowed to reopen on July 2, but with several restrictions in place. This included limiting visitor numbers, social distancing of one metre and strict hygiene measures.
Further rules have since been introduced, such as asking customers to give personal details for track and trace systems. And from today, anyone entering a pub or restaurant must wear a face covering until they are at their seat, when moving around the venue and when leaving.
Although accepting the restrictions, business bosses say they are doing so ‘reluctantly’ and that they fear further closures.
Stuart Mackinnon, external affairs manager for the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, said: ‘These new rules are bound to have an impact on food and drinks businesses in Scotland.
‘But if it is a choice between these changes and a wholesale lockdown, then firms will reluctantly choose the former. Pubs, restaurants and cafes will need the support of the general public to help firms comply and keep people safe.’
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has warned up to 12,500 jobs in pubs are at risk.
Business leaders are now calling on the Scottish Government to introduce measures to help businesses, with the tightening of restrictions again in Scotland.
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: ‘We support government in its efforts to bear down on coronavirus, however, any protracted implementation of restrictions poses a risk to consumer confidence and footfall in the run-up to the key Christmas trading period, particularly in city centres.’
Meanwhile, one of the country’s leading public health experts has warned pubs may be required to close early or altogether.
There are growing concerns about ‘Covid crawls’, with drinkers going from bar to bar and potentially helping spread the virus – and also about some pubs not enforcing social distancing and hygiene rules adequately.
Among options suggested by public health experts is closing pubs at 9.30pm to new customers, or even a complete closure.
Professor Linda Bauld, of Edinburgh University, said the current restrictions should be monitored before other measures were introduced.
But she added: ‘If [as in Aberdeen] Test and Protect data identifies that outbreaks are linked to pubs, then an appropriate future step would be to reduce opening hours for venues, or indeed implement temporary closures.
‘But I think the recent strengthening of regulations around pubs should reduce the risk of outbreaks linked to pubs. The rules are mandatory face coverings for staff, and for customers when moving around the venue and not at tables.’
Professor Bauld warned ‘people are frustrated’ and compliance with restrictions is not universal.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Since we reopened significant parts of our economy, the pandemic is accelerating again – albeit, and thankfully, from a low base and not as rapidly.
‘The hospitality industry has put a lot of effort into creating safe spaces for people to meet. We hope that reducing the risk of transmission in hospitality settings through the use of face coverings and reducing group numbers will help keep the sector open.
‘The new restrictions are based on the fundamental need to reduce household transmissions, which we know is key to keeping infection rates as low as possible.’
Comment – Page 16
‘Small businesses are struggling’