Stirling’s Hogmanay fireworks display will go ahead despite tougher coronavirus restrictions being introduced from Boxing Day.
Earlier this week, first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a raft of tighter lockdown measures to be brought into force in a desperate bid to halt the spread of the Omicron variant.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Sturgeon revealed a number of new measures that will impact on hospitality and large scale public events.
From Monday, December 27, until the end of the first week in January Scots are being asked to continue to limit contact with other households as much as possible. That advice is to be reviewed at the end of the first week of the new year.
From Boxing Day, for an initial three-week period, a limit on the size of public events that can take place is being put in place. That means that for indoor standing events the limit will be 100, whilst indoor seated events will be limited to 200 and outdoor events at 500 seated or standing. Social distancing will be set at 1 metre at events that go ahead within these limits. The rules will not apply to private life events, including weddings.
The move means that Edinburgh has had to cancel its iconic Hogmanay celebration.
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The First Minister said: “This will, of course, make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator-free over this three-week period, similar to in Wales. And it will also mean that large-scale Hogmanay celebrations – including that planned here in our capital city – will not proceed.”
In Stirling, the council has arranged a new year fireworks display at the National Wallace Monument. However, the display is not opened to the public.
Stirling Council this week confirmed that the pyrotechnics display will go ahead as planned.
A spokesperson said: “As the firework display isn’t a public event, the planned display will not be affected. We encourage everybody to tune to BBC One Scotland from 11.30pm on the night to watch the display at midnight.”
Tighter restrictions are to also once again be placed on the hospitality sector. Ms Sturgeon added: “From December 27, again for a three week period – we intend to introduce some further protections in hospitality settings and other indoor public places to reduce transmission risk in what are, through no fault of those who run such venues, higher risk environments.
“I can confirm that a requirement for table service only will be reintroduced for venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises.
“And we will also ask indoor hospitality and leisure venues to ensure one metre distance, not within, but between groups of people who are attending together.”
It’s another bodyblow for Stirling’s struggling hospitality sector.
Hermann Aschaber, who owns Hermann’s restaurant in Broad Street, has previously spoken out on restrictions hoisted upon businesses in previous lockdowns. This week he told the Observer that since Public Health Scotland issued advice earlier this month that revellers should cancel Christmas parties and celebrations around 350 bookings at the popular restaurant had been cancelled. He said: “It’s an absolute disgrace.
“What more can you say that hasn’t already been said?
“I can only hope that every has a nice Christmas and will come back to Hermann’s soon.”
Andrew Mitchell, from the Kilted Kangaroo in Upper Craigs, said: “There’s not much to say to be honest. The previous statements by her had already done the damage.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney also confirmed that nightclubs in Scotland will be expected to close for three weeks as part of the latest restrictions.
In response, Stirling’s Fubar nightclub, in Maxwell Place, said they were “devastated” by the news, adding: “This means we will be closed for a minimum of three weeks from Boxing Day. Rather than cancelling our New Year party, we have decided to move it to the next available big date, this is Saturday, January 22. To make this night even more special we have drafted in none other than MR GBX himself George Bowie. All tickets will be transferred If you are unable to attend this new date please contact FIXR and they will arrange a refund for you.”
In addition, the First Minister said that she intends to issue guidance that would halt non-professional indoor contact sports for adults for three weeks from December 26.
