Coronavirus Scotland: Sturgeon hopes beer gardens can open 'before long'

Hospitality sector had hoped to see some easing on outdoor offerings as part of second phase of return to pre-virus normality

Beer gardens in Scotland may remain closed “for a couple of weeks longer”, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested amid dismay from pubs and punters alike that outdoor drinking was not introduced with other lockdown easing measures.

Landlords had hoped to be able to relaunch outdoor spaces as part of Scotland’s second phase of reopening, which took effect yesterday and included measures allowing meetings of up to three households outside.

However instead pubs were told they would have to keep their bars shuttered for at least another fortnight due to emerging evidence on how the coronavirus might spread between people.

In her daily briefing Ms Sturgeon has said she hopes to see people enjoying a drink in beer gardens "before too long" - but stood by her decision not to allow pubs to reopen in any form until 2 July at the earliest.

"Even outdoors, if you are in a noisy environment, maybe there's music playing. If people are having alcohol, maybe they're shouting more than normal" she said, adding that investigations into “proactive steps” which could be taken were ongoing.

"I very much hope to see people able to have a pint - or some of us would prefer a glass of wine or a gin and tonic - in a beer garden before too long”, she added. “But I want to make sure that's safe.

"If a couple more weeks before we have the ability to have a drink in a beer garden means we can keep this virus really suppressed at a low level, and maybe get our schools back much closer to normal in August, I think most people would think that is a good balance to try to strike."

Jason Leitch, Scotland's national clinical director, added that people would meet in a "less controlled way" in beer gardens than they do at permitted family gatherings outdoors.

He said: "I think it will come before indoors.

"But I think we need a little bit more time, a little bit more data and a little bit more advice before we can reassure the First Minister and the Cabinet that we can safely take this step."

The move has been met with dismay by the hospitality sector in Scotland, which like much of the rest of the world has been among the industries hardest hit by lock down measures and social distancing rules implemented to stem the tide of the virus that has claimed the lives of at least 446,000 people globally.

Operators have been particularly concerned about distancing at bars and around tables in traditionally small and cosy surroundings. The UK remains one of the few nations that has stuck by guidance to keep people 2m apart from one another at all times - with many including China, Denmark and France defaulting to the World Health Organization’s suggestion of 1m distancing.

Emma McClarkin CEO of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association said: “While the re-opening of outdoor space would provide some relief to parts of our sector, the vast majority of pubs will be looking towards the 15th July for the full re-opening.

“Even then, there remains issues for our sector that need to be addressed to properly unlock the economic boost our pubs can contribute to the national economy.

“Continuing to operate at a two metre social distance will make opening financially unviable for many and could result in over 23,600 job losses in our sector alone”