Covid: New Scotland restrictions affect pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes
ITV News Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith reports
Restrictions for Scotland's pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes are to come into effect from 6pm on Friday in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Most venues across the country will only be allowed to operate indoors between 6am and 6pm and not sell alcohol. They can continue to sell drinks until 10pm in outside areas.
However, pubs and licensed restaurants in five health board areas across the central belt will be forced to close for 16 days as of Friday evening.
Establishments in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian, and Forth Valley can only provide takeaways during this time with the temporary measures set to end on Sunday October 25.
Shops have also been asked to return to two metres physical distancing and reintroduce measures from earlier in the pandemic such as one-way systems.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the further measures for the five areas of central Scotland this week, warning that: “Without them, there is a risk the virus will be out of control by the end of this month."
Contact sports for adults aged 18 and above are being suspended for the next two weeks – apart from professional sports.
Indoor group exercise activities will no longer be allowed, however gyms can remain open for individual exercise.
Snooker and pool halls, indoor bowling, casinos and bingo halls will also close and no outdoor live events are allowed in these five areas.