These are the new rules that pubs and restaurants in Scotland will have to follow when they reopen

From 15 July, pubs and restaurants across Scotland will be able to reopen their doors to the public once again after being closed due to lockdown procedures.

But as venues prepare to welcome back customers to their premises, visiting a restaurant or a pub will not be the same as it was before the coronavirus pandemic swept across the UK.

This is everything you need to know about the new rules and measures customers will have to follow when visiting a pub or a restaurant in July.

What has Nicola Sturgeon said?

In her speech on 24 June, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We intend that pubs and restaurants will open indoors from 15 July - but on a limited basis initially and subject to a number of conditions.

“Detailed guidance will be issued as soon as possible.”

Specific guidance has yet to be issued by the Scottish government. On the Scottish government website, there is a page titled “guidance for retail, tourism and hospitality customers”, however this was last updated on 19 June.

The guidance from this page states customers should pay attention to instructions and advice provided by businesses, stay in your own household groups and exercise caution if crowds are gathered in one space.

Customers should also practice good hygiene skills, such as increased hand washing and catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue or crook of elbow.

What could the new rules be?

In England, food and drink venues are preparing to open their doors from 4 July, and have thus been given detailed guidance regarding reopening.

Scottish businesses could see similar guidance issued to keep pub and restaurant staff and customers safe.

The following rules are those issued to businesses in England, so guidance, when it's released, could be different in Scotland - but the rules act as a framework for which Scottish businesses could expect to operate under.

One in, one out

The English government says that venues should consider adopting a “limited entry” approach to allowing customers into the establishment, such as a “one in, one out” method.

Businesses are also advised to use social distancing markers as well, especially where queues tend to form.

Outdoor table service

In his speech at the House of Commons, Boris Johnson said: “All hospitality indoors will be limited to table service, and our guidance will encourage minimal staff and customer contact.”

The government has also introduced new legislation which allows more pubs, restaurants and cafes to serve customers outdoors, such as using car parks and terraces as dining and drinking areas.

The official guidance from the government also states: “Indoor table service must be used where possible.

“Outdoor table service should also be encouraged though customers are permitted to stand outside if distanced appropriately.”

The guidelines state that, where possible, venues should encourage customers to order and pay contactlessly.

Disposable cutlery

Items like cutlery and condiments will also only be provided when food is ordered by customers.

The guidance states that venues should provide disposable condiments or, where that isn’t possible, “cleaning non-disposable condiment containers after each use”.

No loud music

Venues are also told that they should ensure that customers aren’t forced to raise their voices to talk, with the guidelines explaining: “This includes, but is not limited to, refraining from playing music or broadcasts that may encourage shouting, including if played at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult.”

Similarly, venues are not allowed to showcase “live performances, including drama, comedy and music, to take place in front of a live audience”.

Increased hygiene

Businesses are also told in the guidance that hand sanitiser should be made available to customers, and to ensure that “suitable handwashing facilities including running water and liquid soap and suitable options for drying (either paper towels or hand dryers) are available”.

There should also be clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets, “with increased frequency of cleaning in line with usage”.

Test and trace

The guidance for businesses in England also states that the opening up of the economy is being supported by the NHS Test and Trace.

“You should assist this service by keeping a temporary record of your customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for your business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for data if needed,” the guidance explains.

It states that this information “could help contain clusters or outbreaks”.