Covid in Scotland: Drinking at the bar will be allowed in pubs

Scotland's national clinical director has confirmed that drinking at the bar will be allowed in pubs from next week.

Prof Jason Leitch also indicated that people dancing at nightclubs would not be required to wear face coverings.

It follows earlier confusion about so called "vertical drinking" which has not been permitted during previous lockdown easing.

The deputy first minister earlier told the BBC it would remain banned when most restrictions are lifted on Monday.

However, hours later the Scottish Beer & Pub Association tweeted it has been given the green light to allow drinking at the bar, which forms an important part of business for many of its members.

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) also said it had been told by Scottish government officials that vertical drinking would be allowed in pubs from Monday.

Prof Leitch later confirmed to the BBC that it would be allowed but he urged pubs to consider table service or other measures if overcrowding was likely to be an issue.

He told the BBC's Drivetime with John Beattie: "From the law, yes you can but let's think about this at the moment and think about how cautious and careful you might do that."

Prof Leitch suggested a queuing system might replace the traditional scramble for service at a crowded "six deep" bar.

Asked about whether face coverings would be required on the dance floor in nightclubs he said: "It does seem to me a bit odd to ask people to dance with face coverings on. I don't think we will be doing that."

The Scottish Conservatives have accused the Scottish government of confusion and inconsistency over the rules when most restrictions are lifted in Scotland on 9 August.

Earlier, on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, the deputy first minister had given a different answer when asked about "vertical drinking".

He was asked: "If you are standing at a bar, for instance - vertical drinking as they call it - you are standing up having a drink at a bar, can you do that without wearing a face covering?"

Mr Swinney replied: "No, you can't"

When it was put to him that people can order a drink at a bar while wearing a face covering but are not allowed to stand there and drink it, he replied: "That's correct."

Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Annie Wells said: "This is a shambles. Within just a few hours, the SNP government have U-turned on what John Swinney emphatically told everyone earlier.

"Mixed messaging like this is unacceptable. It makes life even harder for businesses who already have to adapt to new rules.

"John Swinney doesn't need a vertical drink, he needs a good long horizontal lie down."

She said the government was "tying themselves in knots trying to explain the inconsistencies in the latest Covid guidance" and appeared to be "making up rules as they go along".

SLTA managing director, Colin Wilkinson, said the clarification had been "absolutely crucial" for the industry, but said it was still "waiting for the finer detail on this and other questions".

Nightclubs have also complained of uncertainty on how the rules of face coverings will be applied.

Confirming the further relaxation of restrictions on Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said they would continue to be required in indoor public spaces.

However, she acknowledged this could be problematic for the night club sector and said talks would continue this week.

Stephen Montgomery, of the Scottish Hospitality Group, said he hoped the government could be convinced to waive the face mask rule before nightclubs reopen.

And Donald MacLeod, who owns The Garage and Cathouse nightclubs in Glasgow, said making people wear masks on a dancefloor would be "crazy, stupid and dangerous".

Prof Leitch said the guidance would be examined over the next couple of days.

Ms Sturgeon has urged anyone returning to clubs after Monday's re-opening, in particular younger people, to get vaccinated.

In England from late September people will be required to have had both doses of a Covid vaccine in order to enter a nightclub.

The first minister said she was keeping her options open, but remained "highly cautious" about the idea of so-called "Covid passports" to control access to services or venues.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We are encouraging the hospitality sector to consider retaining safety measures that are currently in place to help protect the public and staff.

"While wearing of face masks is not required while eating or drinking (whether seated or standing), in order to avoid crowding in hospitality venues it may be sensible to keep measures such as table service or operate a queuing system.

"We are currently engaging with the nightclub sector on guidance to ensure they can safely reopen on 9 August. It is due to be published in the coming days."