Following agreement with all leaders across the four nations of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today ordered all pubs, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, theatres and gyms to close their doors.
As part of the country's efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, an intense increase on social distancing is intended to be temporary according to the PM.
The unprecedented move will see all venues in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales close for the foreseeable future.
Boris Johnson added that takeaway services would be excluded from the new measures.
He said: "We are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not reopen tomorrow.
"We want you to stay safe at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
"To be clear, they can continue to provide take-out services.
"We're also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms and leisure centres to close on the timescale."
The situation will be reviewed every month.
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For the latest guidance on coronavirus from Health Protection Scotland, click here.
