Hospitality restrictions ease in Wales and Scotland

Restrictions on hospitality businesses in Wales and Scotland ease from today, with outdoor service permitted in Wales and an indoor reopening in Scotland with restrictions.

Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can now take place in Wales, including wedding receptions, and outdoor swimming pools can reopen. Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities can reopen from 3 May.

First minister Mark Drakeford has said he expects the hospitality sector in Wales should be able to open indoors from 17 May, however the next Welsh government will not confirm this until the next three-week review on 13 May, a week after the election.

Scottish hospitality can also begin reopening from today, but some business owners remain concerned about the impact of social distancing rules. Cafés, restaurants and bars are allowed to serve up to six people from two households indoors but face an 8pm curfew and ban on serving alcohol.

Alcohol is permitted in outdoor hospitality settings such as beer gardens. Customers sitting at the same table who are not from the same household are required to keep a one-metre distance from each other, as well as from other tables, both indoors and outdoors.

Licensed and unlicensed premises in Northern Ireland will be able to welcome customers outdoors with a limit of up to six people from two households per table from 30 April. Overnight stays in self-contained tourist accommodation will be permitted for one household, and an 11pm curfew on takeaways will be lifted.

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