Scotland's First Minister confirms lockdown delay
The confirmation came on June 22, following June 15's statement which indicated that it was “unikely" that any part of the country would move down a level from June 28.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "As indicated last week we intend to maintain the current restrictions applicable in each part of Scotland for the next three weeks."
She went on to unveil her revised roadmap to bin all "major remaining restrictions" on August 9.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) stated that thehospitality sector is at breaking point. SLTA’s Managing Director Colin Wilkinson called for further financial aid to ensure the survival of the licensed hospitality industry as it plays its part in rebuilding the economy.
“There needs to be an extension to the current support schemes available such as furlough, VAT reduction, deferral of loan repayments and so on," he said.
“Our pubs and bars have already invested millions to provide a safe environment as we all learn to live with this virus and we need to be able to open without restrictions as soon as we can.
“Currently, we can only operate at around 30% of our capacity, but with increased staff costs to provide table service and fewer tables because of social distancing rules, most business continue to operate at a loss, racking up further debt every time they open the doors.”
The announcement, he said, had created further uncertainty for the industry and the people it employs: "We understand the need for caution but the Scottish Government must also understand that this delay will cost an already beleaguered industry millions of pounds and puts in jeopardy the future survival of many of the pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and late night operations that form part of Scotland’s social fibre.”
UKHospitality Scotland is also calling for an announcement on the details on what life will look like after Level 0, as well as the review of physical distancing that had been promised for 7 June.
Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland Leon Thompson said: “Level 0 is not the end and there will still be significant restrictions on hospitality. Without details of what happens after Level 0 and the physical distancing review, businesses cannot begin to plan for the future.
“Ultimately hospitality needs the removal of all restrictions as quickly as possible. In the absence of this the Scottish Government must urgently consider what financial support it will provide to support hospitality businesses.”
