Scotland's Clinical Director has admitted that there is no 'neat division' between what is classed as a cafe and what is classed as a restaurant as new restrictions come into force across Scotland tonight.
Jason Leitch made the comments after Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday in Parliament that licensed cafes will now be able to remain open, provided they do not serve alcohol - after the restrictions originally stated that all licensed premises in the Central Belt were required to close.
Regulations will be brought forward today to include for the specific exemption for cafes.
Speaking to BBC Good Morning Scotland this morning, Professor Leitch said: "It’s not a neat division, but most institutions know which they are. What we’re trying to do here is curb hospitality in a way that stops households inter-mixing...but we want the social isolation exemption."
It comes as The Scottish Licensed Trade Association criticised as "ridiculous" the fact that, on the ay the new regulations come in to place in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Forth Valley, Lanarkshire and Lothian, they still don't know what licensed premises will be allowed to open.
They tweeted: "Absolutely ridiculous that on the day new regulations come into force we still do not know what licensed premises in the Central Belt will be allowed to open till 6pm for food only - shambles. What is a “licensed cafe?” Find out maybe today!"
Pubs and restaurants in the central belt will shut up shop from 6pm this evening for 16 days, while snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls will all close from tomorrow (October 10) for two weeks.
