Nightclubs in Scotland will be closed for at least three weeks from December 27, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said.
Legislation tabled by the Scottish Government at the Covid-19 Recovery Committee on Thursday will close nightclubs unless they can operate with appropriate social distancing between groups and table service.
New restrictions were announced earlier this week, bringing back the requirement for one metre of social distancing between groups and a maximum capacity of 100 at a standing indoor event, which would limit the number of people who can attend nightclubs.
READ MORE - Edinburgh Lothian Buses scrap all special Hogmanay services after street party cancelled
Speaking about the new legislation, the Deputy FM said that clubs still can have the option to open, however they must be able to effectively become a bar.
This would require the premises to have seating, tables and for the layout to be socially distanced.
He said: "We consider that closure in regulations, combined with financial support, may reduce losses and help these businesses weather what we hope will be a short period until they are able to operate normally again."
It comes as a number of new restrictions were announced by Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday (December 21) surrounding mass gatherings.
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Under the new rules, standing indoor events were limited to 100 people, all of whom must be socially distanced from one another.
In the days following the Covid rule change, Edinburgh nightclubs had already begun to announce how they were going to adapt over the winter period.
With many having to cancel large Hogmanay events, venues such as Bourbon and The Liquid Rooms have announced they will be acting as late night bars, with the Liquid Rooms opening a beer garden until 5am.
Other large venues such as Why Not and Brewhemia have moved their ticketed Hogmanay events back until January 28, with ticket holders also eligible for a refund.
