Pubs, bars and restaurants across Glasgow and throughout Scotland have reopened in the last few weeks after a long layoff amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Friends, family and colleagues have been keen to catch up over a pint or two after being consigned to takeaway pints or sitting on the sofa with a couple of cans.
Despite the local lockdown being introduced in Glasgow last week and the ban on household visits, the rules on entering pubs and restaurants haven't changed.
And for some, uncertainty remains over the exact rules on visiting pubs and restaurants, in terms of the number of people you are allowed to meet up with and the distance you should be away from them.
Over the weekend, Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken drew criticism after being pictured with three fellow councillors in the Merchant City's Metropolitan Bar. The SNP said no rules had been broken – claiming two of the councillors had formed an “extended household”, meaning they could be classed as just one household.
So, in a bid to clear up any ambiguity concerning the latest rules, here's exactly what the Scottish Government say about meeting up in pubs and restaurants:
Indoors
"In Phase 3 you can meet people from up to 2 other households at a time (up to 8 people can meet in total) in an indoor area of a pub, restaurant or café or other hospitality venue.
"You should make sure you stay physically distant from people from the other households at all times. In general, this means you will need to stay 2 metres apart, but depending on the hospitality venue you are visiting, this may be 1 metre. If the venue you are visiting requires 1 metre between people at the venue, there should be additional measures in place to minimise transmission of Covid-19, for example, hand sanitiser stations and increased ventilation. There will be signs up to tell you whether you are in a 2m or 1m area
"Physical distancing and good hand hygiene remain the most effective measures in reducing the transmission of Covid-19. Therefore, distancing requirements need to be maintained, where reasonably practicable, at all times, including when you are waiting to enter premises and when you are seated.
"For this reason you should meet people from other households in only small numbers so that physical distancing will be possible. Our advice is that you should meet in a group of no more than 8 people from a maximum of 2 other households (at most) at a time indoors, though the venue may impose a smaller group limit depending on things like venue and table size.
"In particular, when considering meeting people from more than one other household, you should think beforehand about what size of table you will need to keep physically distanced between households. The venue you are visiting should be able to advise you of booking options.
"You should avoid visiting multiple indoor hospitality premises on the same day. In particular, do not visit more than one pub or bar on the same day, as this increases the risk of multiple transmission.
"The same rules apply to children as adults.
"You are also encouraged to wear a face covering where physical distancing may be more difficult, such as when entering and leaving premises."
Outdoors
When it comes to drinking or dining outdoors, the rules differ slightly, with the possibility of meeting with a larger number of households and people:
"In Phase 3 you can meet people from up to 4 other households at a time (up to 15 people can meet in total) in an outdoor area of a pub, restaurant or café or other hospitality venue.
"You should make sure you stay physically distant from people from the other households at all times. In general, this means you will need to stay 2 metres apart, but depending on the hospitality venue you are visiting, this may be 1 metre. If the venue you are visiting requires 1 metre between people at the venue, there should be additional measures in place to minimise transmission of Covid-19 for example, hand sanitiser stations and increased ventilation. There will be signs up to tell you whether you are in a 2m or 1m area.
"Customers visiting restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are being asked to provide contact details, to support Test and Protect and ensure that contact tracing works well."
To view the rules in full, you can visit the Scottish Government website, here.
.jpg?w=600)
