Pubs call for review of two-metre social-distancing rules

Pub owners called for a review of the two-metre social distancing rule as it was claimed it could see the loss of thousands of jobs in the sector.

Almost nine out of ten landlords responding to a survey, conducted by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, claimed it is not financially viable for them to reopen their doors with the guideline still in place.

The Scottish Government has been asked to reassess the situation, after it was suggested the two-metre distance could lead to the loss of more than 23,600 jobs within the trade.

Many restaurant and pub businesses believe a one-metre distance would be more suitable and help kickstart the industry, if premises are to reopen on the provisional date of July 15.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: “The results make for stark reading.

“Keeping a two-metre rule in place simply does not make financial sense and the fall out will see the loss of thousands of jobs affecting both the Scottish economy and local communities in the process.

“What’s clear is that the majority of licensed premises will simply not be able to operate under the proposed two-metre distancing, leading to mass unemployment within the sector.”

On Friday, the two-metre social distancing rule was described as the “correct distance for this phase of Scotland’s coronavirus pandemic” by the Scottish Government’s national clinical director.

Jason Leitch said there was consensus on the two-metre guidance within the scientific community, adding there was “no magic distance that removes all risk from this virus”.

The Scottish Government has been asked for further comment.