Scottish hospitality allowed to serve alcohol inside from Monday

Scotland has been given the go-ahead to ease Covid-19 restrictions and move down to level two, with two geographical exceptions.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the changes during a Scottish government press briefing today, adding that they would "restore much more normality to our everyday lives".

From 17 May all parts of mainland Scotland will move from the current level three to level two, though it is expected Moray will be an exception due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

For hospitality this means groups of six from three households, instead of two, will be able to meet indoors at a café, pub or restaurant, while venues will be allowed to serve alcohol indoors until 10.30pm.

However, alcohol service will only be permitted within two-hour booked time slots, which guidance states is to help 'manage dwell times'.

From Monday, meeting friends and family in groups of six people from three households will be allowed inside homes, including overnight stays. Sturgeon also said those gathering in a private dwelling or garden will now no longer be required to maintain physical distance, but distancing should still be maintained in public, including in pubs and restaurants.

Cinemas, theatres, concert halls, amusement arcades, casinos and bingo halls will also be allowed to reopen from Monday, while events capacities can increase to 100 people indoors, 250 standing outside or 500 seated outside.

The two geographical exceptions include Moray, which has seen a recent increase in infections due to community transmission. The region will remain in level three and Sturgeon said travel in and out of Moray will be restricted for what she hopes is a short period to prevent the outbreak spreading to other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Scotland's island communities will move down to level one, as case numbers have been at very low levels. This will mean fewer restrictions on hospitality, including eight people from three households being allowed to meet in indoor hospitality settings.

Nightclubs remain closed in levels one and two.

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