Scotland's lockdown easing 'falls short' for struggling hospitality businesses, industry warns

Travel restrictions across Scotland will be eased from Friday but pubs, cafes and shops will remain shuttered, Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday in a minor acceleration of her lockdown exit plan.

The First Minister announced she was bringing forward her planned date for travel limits in Scotland to be eased, which was originally set for April 26, but people would still not be allowed to stay overnight anywhere other than their homes.

Scots can currently only meet outdoors in groups of four from up to two households, but this will change to six people from six households in an attempt to help those struggling with their mental health during lockdown.

But they will still have nowhere to go together other than a public space or garden as all hospitality and leisure and shopping facilities will remain closed until the April 26 reopening. They reopened in England on Monday.

Ms Sturgeon also refused to bring forward the date for cross-Border travel to resume, despite England having lower Covid rates than Scotland.

She said she did not want Scots travelling to pubs in England and bringing back the virus but Dean Lockhart, a Scottish Tory MSP, said: "Given the fact that Scotland has a higher infection rate than the rest of the UK, surely the opposite would be the case?"

The First Minister also confirmed that Scotland has "effectively met" its initial vaccination target of offering a first dose to all over-50s and the clinically vulnerable by April 15.

The 50-year-old is expected to receive her jab in the next few days and those aged over 45 will start receiving letters inviting them to their vaccinations.

Scotland's beleaguered tourism industry welcomed her confirmation that it can reopen on April 26, but other business leaders said her acceleration had offered little new.

Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "Today’s announcement has not offered solace for businesses who are ready to safely open up now. We have been calling for the crucial detail behind the levels criteria to be published."

Although hospitality will reopen on April 26, venues must close at 8pm indoors and 10pm outdoors, with alcohol only allowed outside. They will only be allowed to serve alcohol indoors from May 17.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said Ms Sturgeon's announcement "falls short of what is required to make licensed premises viable".

She added: "We desperately need a return to licensing hours indoors, as well as allowing alcohol to be sold indoors from April 26."

The Scottish Hospitality Group said it was "more confused than ever" after rules were changed to allow alcohol to be served at wedding receptions for up to 50 people.

Spokesman Stephen Montgomery said: "You can toast the bride and groom in the function suite but you can’t have a glass of wine on a first date in the restaurant next door," adding that the changes to other lockdown rules announced today "doesn't change anything for the vast majority of hospitality providers".

Ms Sturgeon said infection rates had been higher in Scotland than other parts of the UK in recent weeks, but were now "falling more markedly and more consistently".

The First Minister said this meant she could confirm a "very significant re-opening of the economy" from April 26, when the whole of Scotland will move into Level 3 of her five-tier lockdown system.

Scotland's island communities, which are already in Level 3, will remain in that tier to allow travel with the mainland. However, Ms Sturgeon said she expected the whole of Scotland to then move to Level 2 on May 17 - allowing people to meet up indoors - and Levels 1 then 0 in June.

Announcing the acceleration in Scottish travel restrictions being eased, she said: "In summary, from the end of this week, you will be able to meet up with family and friends who live in different parts of the country."

But she said that cross-Border travel would remain prohibited and warned that restrictions on travel to England could be reimposed if there is a “significant divergence” between the UK and Scottish governments on allowing international travel.

The First Minister also denied that the bringing forward of restrictions easing was motivated by the upcoming Holyrood election.