Draft hospitality guidance was only ‘intended to be illustrative’

Hospitality businesses which were last week thrown into turmoil by the publication of stringent Scottish Government guidance surrounding their reopening have welcomed a letter from culture secretary Fiona Hyslop that stated the stricter regulations were “intended to be illustrative”.

Ms Hyslop told businesses the rules had not changed from when bars, restaurants and pubs were allowed to open last year.

Draft guidance published last week suggested that people from different households have to observe social distancing at tables when the hospitalitysectorbeginstoreopen on Monday.

The sector had expected that one metre social distancing would apply between tables, but warned the draft guidance could mean a 3.5m table would be required for a group of six.

However, Ms Hyslop said the draft guidance would now be adjusted based on feedback from the industry.

From Monday, cafes, restaurants and bars can open indoors, but are not allowed to serve alcohol and must close at 8pm. Outdoor areas can serve alcoholandmustcloseat10pm.

Paul Togneri, spokesman for the Scottish Beer and Pub

Association, said: “This letter is hugely welcomed.

"The confusion which had been created over this has caused hospitality operators acrossthecountryunnecessary stress and worry, just one week beforeopening.hopefullythey can now press ahead with their plans and look forward to welcoming customers back from Monday.”

The letter stated: "The recently published draft guidance on Physical Distance based capacity(pdbc)wasintendedbygovernment officials to support rather than replace that ongoing work by providing a methodology for calculating the physicaldistancedcapacityofa public setting in any situation.”