Food and drink premises have closed in Aberdeen with lockdown measures reimposed following a recent spike in coronavirus cases.
Nicola Sturgeon announced the reintroduction of lockdown restrictions after 54 cases of Covid-19 were detected at the city’s Hawthorn Bar following a break-out of the virus on Sunday.
The measures coming into force include a five-mile travel ban and the closure of all indoor and outdoor hospitality premises.
A review will take place a week from now but could be extended if the outbreak is not under control.
Takeaways and hotel restaurants, providing meals for residents, will still be allowed to continue trading.
Speaking at her daily briefing in Edinburgh the First Minister said: “I want to assure you the decisions we agreed are not being taken lightly.
“But we are at a stage of this pandemic where extreme caution is necessary and in my view sensible.
“I can confirm it was agreed, albeit extremely reluctantly, to reimpose restrictions on the Aberdeen area.”
Aberdeen City Councillor, Marie Boulton, recognises the importance of suppressing the virus despite the closure of food and drink outlets, she said: “It is disappointing to see our restaurants, cafes and pubs having to shut following the announcement by the First Minister.
“However, many had already made this decision for themselves recognising the need to protect their patrons, staff and the wider public.
“I think some of the guidance that had been previously issued perhaps lead to a level of confusion for both premises and patrons and certainly the team in Environmental Services at Aberdeen City Council have been working long hours visiting premises to engage, educate and ensure compliance.
“The confusion over the guidance is not just in Aberdeen and before we see premises reopen I hope the Scottish Government will have resolved these areas of confusion so that everyone has a clear understanding of what is required in terms of compliance.”
