Scotland to lift hospitality restrictions next week

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that trading restrictions in indoor hospitality venues will be lifted next week.

From January 24, all Covid 19 measures announced over the festive period will be lifted in Scotland.

The restrictions enforced last December, which limited the number of people attending indoor events and enforced table service only, will be scrapped. Nightclubs will also be allowed to reopen.

This comes after UKHospitality called for restrictions to be lifted earlier this month.

In her announcement, Sturgeon said: "The remaining statutory measures introduced in response to Omicron are as follows; limits on attendance at indoor public events; the requirement for one-metre physical distancing between different groups in indoor public places; the requirement for table service in hospitality premises serving alcohol on the premises; and the closure of nightclubs.

"Given the improving situation - and as I said last week we hoped to be able to do - I can confirm today that all of these measures will be lifted from next Monday, January 24."

Responding to the announcement, UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Leon Thompson said: "It is welcome news that the restrictions imposed on hospitality ahead of Christmas will be removed from Monday. It would have been better still, though, to shelve these restrictions this week, giving hard-pressed hospitality businesses a desperately needed trading boost this coming weekend."