NICOLA Sturgeon warned pubs and restaurants that the new 10pm closing times would have to be heeded or they could be closed altogether as she reiterated the need to stop the spread of the virus.
She said last week: “Notwithstanding the economic implications, further restrictions, including possible closure will be unavoidable – locally or nationally – if the rules within pubs and restaurants on hygiene, face coverings, table service, maximum numbers in groups, and the distance between them are not fully complied with.”
But she recognised too the work being done by the sector to meet the regulations.
She added: “I want to thank those businesses, I believe the majority that are making huge efforts to ensure compliance.”
The First Minister said that she did not want to have to close pubs and restaurants and that the decision to go for a 10pm closing time was for health, economic and societal reasons.
She said: “To be frank, we are seeking to find a balance between action to suppress the virus and the protection of people’s jobs and livelihoods.
“If the Scottish Government had greater powers to borrow money, or the ability to extend the Job Retention Scheme, for example, it is possible that we cold reach a different balance of judgment on some of these issues. But we don’t.”
Across the economy there has been a clamour for rescue packages to save jobs.
The beleaguered arts and culture sector was given a much-needed injection of cash last month.
The industry which has been dealing with closures and restrictions were told that they could draw from a £59 million funding package to protect jobs.
The windfall is part of the £97m in UK Government Barnett consequentials for the culture and heritage sectors.
A £15m Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund provides support to a swathe of business including nightclubs, comedy venues, large music venues and dance companies. art galleries, commercial theatres, orchestras and studio facilities have also been included.
Creative freelancers were also catered for with £5m to address their immediate financial hardship.
Scotland’s artists were given £5m to help them continue to develop new work, including £1.5m for the Culture Collective programme where freelance artists work in communities.
Independent cinemas were grateful for the £3.5m contribution while £3m was set aside for youth arts, including a funding boost for the Youth Music Initiative to provide work for musicians.
Scotland’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop conceded that it had been ‘an extremely trying time.’ And she added: ‘We have taken time to work closely with and listen carefully to the sectors, to understand exactly what they need.
And she said she was hopeful that the funds would help to ensure that the sectors come through COVID-19 and thrive in the future.
Creative Scotland Chief Executive Iain Munro welcomed the ‘significant announcement of much-needed emergency support.
He said: ‘This folows a great deal of work involving Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government but also many people and organisations from across Scotland’s cultural community,’ he said.
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