Requirements for reopening expected by June 18
THE Scottish Government is expected to publish guidance for tourism and hospitality businesses, laying out the steps they will be required to take in order to reopen and resume trading.
The sector-specific advice is due to be published by June 18 ahead of lockdown restrictions being lifted, according to the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
The Scottish Government’s ‘route map’ for easing lockdown measures revealed that restrictions will be eased in four separate phases. Pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen outdoor areas in the second phase, with indoor spaces reopening in phase three.
The Scottish Government is legally bound to review its lockdown restrictions every three weeks, but it has stressed that each phase could last longer than a single review period. The decision to move into the second phase of the route map will depend on how the coronavirus situation is evolving in Scotland.
The hospitality and tourism guidelines will follow the publication of guidelines for other business sectors, including construction, manufacturing, retail and transport.
They require businesses to carry out a risk assessment and include a checklist of various measures business owners should adopt in their premises around hygiene and social distancing.
When the retail guidelines were published economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We’ve been working in partnership with industry, trades unions and regulators in around 14 sectors and will publish more sector-specific guidance over the next few weeks.
“However, I want to be clear that the journey doesn’t end once the guidance is published. This is just the starting point and these documents will continually evolve, where required, based on public health evidence and feedback from industry and trade unions.”
