Pub curfew takes effect as students told to stay away

Pubs and restaurants will now close their doors at 10pm as a new curfew comes into force.

Nicola Sturgeon said the move – which has also been introduced south of the border – is to curtail the spread of coronavirus but also to allow businesses to continue trading.

The First Minister warned that any premises that do not comply risk being shut down completely.

The hospitality curfew comes a week after the “rule of six” came into effect in Scotland, limiting all gatherings, including those in pubs and restaurants, to no more than six adults from two households.

Students across Scotland have also been told not to go to pubs and other hospitality venues this weekend.

Universities Scotland said those who go to parties or socialise with anyone outside their accommodation face losing their place at university amid the introduction of a “yellow card, red card” system for breaches.

The warning comes after hundreds of students tested positive for Covid-19 at campuses across the country, which has led to more than 1000 people having to self-isolate.

University of Glasgow: There has been two 'significant clusters'. <strong>GETTY IMAGES</strong>”/></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true>University of Glasgow: There has been two ‘significant clusters’. <strong>GETTY IMAGES</strong> <cite class=hidden></cite></figcaption></figure><p>At the University of Glasgow, 172 students tested positive for Covid amid two “significant clusters”. More than 600 students are now in quarantine.</p><p>A total of 120 cases of coronavirus have been identified in an outbreak at Edinburgh Napier University.</p><p>NHS Lothian confirmed there are also a small number of cases at the University of Edinburgh and Queen Margaret University.</p><p>In Tayside, the health board is investigating a case linked to Abertay University’s Parker House student accommodation which has led to all 500 residents having to quarantine until further contact tracing has been completed.</p><p>On Monday, the University of St Andrews confirmed more than 40 people were self-isolating after four students contacted the virus after a freshers’ week party.</p><p>These new cases brought the total at the university to seven, after three were announced last week.</p><p>A number of students at Aberdeen University have also tested positive for Covid-19.</p><p>On Tuesday, all residents of Wavell House halls of residence within Hillhead Student Village were told to self-isolate for two weeks unless advised otherwise.</p><p>On Wednesday, Scotland recorded 486 new positive coronavirus tests – the biggest single day’s number since mass testing began.</p><p>The following day, a further 465 cases and two deaths were reported.</p><p>The positivity rate of people tested for the virus also continues to rise, standing at 7.9%.</p><p>Sturgeon said the latest figures show why the Scottish Government has imposed further “tough measures” aimed at curbing the spread.</p><figure class=

She later tweeted: “To all students – I’m so sorry Covid is making this special time of your lives so tough.

“But it won’t be forever and the more we get the virus back under control now, the sooner you’ll get a bit of normality back.

“So, please do what’s being asked of you.

“And to clarify one point: Today’s Universities Scotland advice to students to stay away from pubs/hospitality completely is just for this weekend – it’s an attempt to stop the current outbreaks spreading further.”