The Scottish pub experience is set to change once again from December 27 under new Covid rules announced by the Scottish Government.
A number of new measures were laid out by Nicola Sturgeon earlier today in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
This included new curbs on large events and football matches, in addition to new rules for hospitality venues.
It comes after Scotland recorded 5,242 new daily Covid infections - 62.4 per cent of which are said to have come from the Omicron variant.
Early studies have shown that the effectiveness of two doses of the coronavirus vaccine drops when up against the Omicron variant.
Scientists are also investigating the severity of Omicron infection.
Nicola Sturgeon announced the new rules as ‘necessary’ in tackling the unknown threat of the Omicron variant.
The SNP leader said: “Sturgeon told MSPs: "Sticking to all of this is really hard, but there’s not doubt whatsoever, it will help keep up safer”
New rules for pubs and restaurants
Further protections will be implemented in hospitality venues from December 27 in a bid to reduce the risk of transmission in what was described as “higher risk environments”.
As part of these measures, Scots will be required to order drinks from their table at venues that serve alcohol for consumption on the premises.
One metre rules on social distancing will also be reintroduced between groups of people - but this will not apply within a group.
Scots have been urged to keep groups to a maximum of three households.
Nicola Sturgeon also asked that Scots restrict their socialising as much as possible in the post-Christmas period.
The First Minister said earlier today: “We intend to introduce some further protections in hospitality settings and other indoor public places to reduce transmission risk in what are, through no fault of those who run such venues, higher risk environments.
"I can confirm that a requirement for table service only will be reintroduced for venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises.
"And we will also ask indoor hospitality and leisure venues to ensure one metre distance, not within, but between groups of people who are attending together.
"We will continue to advise people that if they are attending indoor hospitality or leisure venues - and remember our core advice remains to minimise this - there should be no more than three households represented in any group."
