Scottish gov introduces social distancing rules for indoor venues
This includes pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consumption on-site as well as leisure settings such as gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo and snooker halls and bowling alleys
The Scottish government has announced that from 26 December further restrictions will be introduced to combat the spread of the Omicrom variant which includes one metre physical distancing between adults in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings.
This includes pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consumption on-site as well as leisure settings such as gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo and snooker halls and bowling alleys.
Table service will be required in settings where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises.
In addition, from 05:00 on 26 December, attendance at large events will be limited to 100 people for indoor standing events, to 200 people for indoor seated events, and to 500 people for all outdoor events seated or standing.
A package totalling £375m, including £175m of additional funding from the Treasury, will be made available to support sectors affected by the latest protective measures to combat Omicron.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The rate of vaccination acceleration in an age cohort with, to date, lower levels relatively speaking of booster protection underlines the vital importance of everyone getting booster jabs as quickly as possible.
“Last week, I said that our target was to have 80% of the eligible population vaccinated with boosters by the time the bells strike on Hogmanay. I can confirm today that we are now confident that we have the capacity to meet that target, but to reach it, or get as close to it as possible, we need everyone who is eligible to come forward.”
She added: “Our advice is to stay at home as much as possible, but if you are meeting other people, test before you go – every time – and test as close to going as possible. This is really important for family gatherings on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.”
