New Covid restrictions sees Scotland hit with a ban on alcohol in pubs and restaurants
Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes across the Highlands will not be permitted to sell alcohol indoors after 6pm on Friday for 16 days.
It is the most decisive curtailment of hospitality since the start of the lockdown on March 23 and comes amid a raft of new measures announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Alcohol can still be served up to 10pm outside in the Highlands but that remains subject to a maximum of six people from two households rule.
After Saturday only food can be served indoors up to 6pm though hotels will be permitted to serve food later but not alcohol.
On top of that the First Minister also revealed that the government is advising against travel to or from five Central Belt health boards – Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley.
In each of those five health boards people are discouraged from moving out of that particular area while all hospitality except hotels must close as they have seen a particular surge in the number of cases.
New regulations on the wearing of face coverings in public places will be strengthened along with more action to strengthen compliance with the current regulations.
Supermarkets and shops will remain open but are encouraged to reintroduce two metre physical distancing and one ways systems that were in place earlier in the pandemic.
More to follow...
