Glaswegians will be able to enjoy a well deserved pint from today as outdoor cafes and beer gardens reopen for the first time in months.
As part of Phase 2 of Nicola Sturgeon's roadmap out of lockdown, pubs and restaurants are able to open their outdoor spaces with physical distancing and increased hygiene routines in place.
Pubs and restaurants should be able to welcome customers indoors from 15 July.
Holiday accommodation, hairdressers and barbers, museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries and all childcare providers are also set to reopen from the same date.
Government regulations on planning for outdoors spaces are being relaxed temporarily, to allow businesses and their customers to adhere to current social distancing measures.
That means that public footpaths may be used for seating and open-sided gazebos could also be introduced to your favourite bar or restaurant, if they so choose.
The announcement follows controversy in Glasgow, where the sale of takeaway pints is being restricted from today too.
The ban by Glasgow City Council is blamed on ‘unacceptable anti-social behaviour’ - and while some have welcomed the move, others say it will pose further problems for struggling bars.
At national level, Planning Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Scotland’s hospitality industry is vital to our economy which is why we took immediate steps to address the financial impact of Covid-19, including a £320 million support package specifically aimed at the tourism and hospitality sector.
“As the industry re-opens with physical distancing measures, we want to enable businesses to take steps to provide a safe and pleasant environment for customers.
“Local authorities are responsible for planning and we are already encouraging them to facilitate the use of open outdoor spaces which pubs and restaurants can use. We have also issued guidance to local licensing boards about how to sensitively and pragmatically deal with requests to use outdoor space for the sale of alcohol.
“Relaxing planning controls on a temporary basis will give even more flexibility to allow businesses to operate, and for some normality to return to life within our communities.”
Keep an eye on our live blog below for all the latest updates, including the First Minister's daily briefing as it happens.
