First Minister to reveal if social distancing rules will be relaxed
The hospitality industry is urging Nicola Sturgeon to follow England's lead and reduce measures from 2m to 'one metre plus'
Last updated 2nd Jul 2020
We could find out later today whether Scotland will follow England in relaxing its 2 metre social distancing rule.
The First Minister's expected to raise the idea in her daily briefing this afternoon.
Many pubs and restuarants want to see it happen.
Willie McLeod, the Executive Director in Scotland for UK Hospitality said: "At two metres, businesses are not viable. Generally speaking they''ll be operating at 30% of their capacity.
"Whereas at one metre they'll be operating at closer to 70% of their capacity and more likely to be able to operate on a viable basis.
"I think a lot (of business owners) will choose not to open on the basis of two metres because they''ll have fixed costs, they'll be bring their staff back to work and buying stock.
"Unless they're assured of operating on a viable basis many will choose not to open next week."
From this weekend pubs and restaurants down south will apply a 'one metre plus' measure when they re-open.
This means people can remain one metre apart from others providing they other steps to reduce the risk of transmission, such as not sitting face to face.
Hear all the latest news from across the North of Scotland on the hour, every hour, at MFR. Listen on FM, via our MFR app, on your DAB radio, online at MFR.co.uk, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker.