Pubs and restaurants in Central Scotland to close due to covid.

All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed from 6pm on Friday.  This is due to new measures aimed at tackling a surge in coronavirus cases.

The rules will apply to licensed premises across the central belt, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

In other regions pubs will be able to stay open – but they can only serve alcohol outdoors.

The rules will be in place until 25 October.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the restrictions were “intended to be short, sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection”.  She also admitted that they would be disruptive to businesses and would be unpopular with many people.

The licensed trade had warned ahead of the announcement that many licensed premises would be forced to shut for good if further restrictions were imposed on them.

A £40m support package for affected business has been announced by Ms Sturgeon.

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