...as bar faces probe over fan celebrations
POLICE are investigating after football fans were spotted allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions while celebrating Scotland’s victory over Serbia.
Images on social media show fans in the Draft Project – a pop-up bar in Aberdeen – embracing as they hailed the team’s qualification for the Euro 2020 championship.
Aberdeen is currently in Level 2 of coronavirus restrictions and rules state that no more than two households can mix in pubs and all customers must be off the premises by 10.30pm.
Police said there were no arrests or fixed penalty notices issued. Chief Inspector David Howieson said: ‘We are aware of footage circulating on social media following the Scotland game last night.
‘Officers were on patrol in the city centre throughout the evening and in attendance at the premises in question where they supported staff who ejected a number of patrons following a spontaneous reaction to the first Scotland goal.
‘Police are working with the local authority environmental health and licensing teams to investigate the full circumstances.’
At yesterday’s daily Covid briefing, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he had seen the footage.
He added: ‘It is really important that the police and environmental health licensing authority look very carefully at all the circumstances to ensure that the arrangements that were in place were appropriate.
‘I am advised by the police that a number of individuals were ejected from the premises because they did not follow the physical distancing requirements that the pub required and it demonstrates there was intervention to make sure the rules were being followed.
‘It is very important that everybody follows the physical distancing rules at all times.’
A spokesman f or Aberdeen City Council said yesterday evening: ‘We are investigating the circumstances with Police Scotland.’
Susan Webb, director of public health at NHS Grampian, said she was aware of the celebration footage. She added: ‘While I cannot comment on these specific circumstances, I can say this – this virus does not rest. It does not take a minute off, much less 90 minutes, extra time and penalties.
‘Letting our guard down gives it the opportunity to pass from person to person and, as too many families can confirm, it can have deadly consequences.’
Aberdeen Central Nationalist MSP Kevin Stewart tweeted on Thursday: ‘Today 58 people in Grampian tested positive for Covid-19.
‘Tonight, I am receiving messages with video footage from an Aberdeen bar featuring clear breaches of regulations.
‘This is not good enough and I will be contacting the police and the council tomorrow and they must investigate.’
‘This is not good enough’