NICOLA Sturgeon has described "myths" around a potential change to physical distancing rules in pubs and restaurants as "misleading".

The First Minister said physical distancing rules in hospitality venues had not changed from the guidance issued last year with the one-metre rule remaining in place.

It comes after the Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) said an official document had raised "fears" that rules had been extended.

Earlier today, Sturgeon confirmed that a number of lockdown measures would ease from Monday, April 26.

At the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing, the First Minister announced that indoor hospitality will be allowed to open until 8pm, though alcohol sales will remain outdoors-only until May 17. People will be able to consume alcohol outside until 10pm.

Sturgeon said she expected households to stay at least one metre apart while in pubs or restaurants.

She said the rule had not changed from last year, agreeing with comments from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association that claims otherwise were “scaremongering”.

READ MORE: Full details of all lockdown restrictions that will be eased from Monday April 26

The First Minister said: “I would actually say that we should not have myths about the rules circulating because it doesn’t help anybody, least of all those in our hospitality sector.

“There is no change to the physical distancing requirements in our revised guidance for the reopening next week, compared to the guidance that was in place the last time pubs and restaurants and cafes were allowed to open.

“Anybody who says otherwise is misleading people.”

She said she expected the vast majority of those in the hospitality trade would be responsible around the rules.

The only change to the guidance, she said, was that venues will have to display what their capacity limits are.

Further guidance around the taking of customer details was published on Tuesday, saying details of all customers must be recorded as opposed to just the “lead” customer.

Stephen Montgomery (below), owner of the Townhead Hotel in Lockerbie and a spokesman for the SHG, had earlier said there was confusion over what was required from April 26.

The National:

He told The Herald: “The official document has caused fears that the social distancing has been extended because they have a table that shows a 3.5 metre table that is required for six people.

“Nobody has a table of that size. I have to put six together to meet the requirements for six people from six different households. There is all the panic of trying to source tables.

“People are becoming scared now, because we are six days to opening up.”