Customers won’t be allowed inside premises to pick up orders from Saturday
PREMISES offering takeaway services will have to give orders to customers at a serving hatch or doorway from Saturday, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament today (13th January) Sturgeon outlined plans to tighten six aspects of the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions, which, subject to parliamentary approval, will take effect from Saturday (16th January).
Customers will no longer be permitted to go inside to collect takeaway food or coffee, she said, adding that any outlet wishing to offer takeaway will have to do so from a serving hatch or doorway.
“This reduces the risk of customers coming into contact indoors with each other, or with staff,” said Sturgeon.
She also said that, from Saturday, it will be against the law in all level four areas of Scotland (currently all of the mainland) to drink alcohol outdoors in public. (Currently most of Scotland is covered by byelaws which ban the consumption of alcohol in public places.)
“This will mean, for example, that buying a takeaway pint and drinking it outdoors will not be permitted,” said the first minister.
“Again, I know this will not be a popular move. But it is intended to underline and support the fact that we should only be leaving home just now for essential purposes. That includes exercise or recreation but not simple socialising.”
Read the takeaway guidance here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
