NICOLA Sturgeon has urged Scots to “socialise safely” as the country’s beer gardens start to re-open.

Hundreds of thirsty Scots are expected to flock to the pub today, desperate for their first pint in months.

But the First Minister’s comments come after the head of the Police Federation in England said bars had been unable to cope with the numbers of people out on “Super Saturday” when pubs re-opened south of the Border.

“There were just hundreds of people gathering and it was just so difficult,” John Apter told LBC.

It’s still another nine days until indoor parts of pubs and restaurants in Scotland can re-open, but today relaxing of restrictions around beer gardens and pavement cafes should be a small boost for the sector badly hit by the coronavirus.

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Anyone visiting such outdoor establishments will be asked to provide their name and contact telephone number to the business as well as logging the date and time of their visit as part of Scotland’s test and protect effort.

The First Minister visited the Cold Town House terrace in Edinburgh ahead of today to see changes put in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Sturgeon said: “I hope that as we take these first gradual steps out of lockdown, people will begin to feel more of the sense of normality that we have worked so hard for – although it is important to remember that the virus has not gone away so we cannot get complacent.

“No beer garden or cafe should feel the same as it did before.”

Stephen Montgomery, the president of Scottish Licensed Trade Association, encouraged drinkers to “keep to physical distancing measures and work with premises to ensure public health is maintained, including providing staff with contact details”.