Pubs, hotels and restaurants reopen today across Moray and the Highlands after days of extensive preparations to get venues and staff ready.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned the reopening of pubs and restaurants is the “highest” coronavirus resurgence risk so far.
And she has urged everyone to follow the rules and stay safe as they make the most of their return.
Scott Murray, managing director of Cru Holdings, has readied The Classroom in Nairn alongside Dows and Prime Seafood and Steak in Inverness, for reopening.
They will welcome customers through their doors once more, albeit with strict hygiene and distancing measures in place, as well as track and trace systems.
Mr Murray said: “We have chosen not to open all of our sites this week.
“We are just opening the ones we feel we can, not just get through the government guidelines, but also deliver the customer the experience they are expecting as well.
“The response so far has been encouraging.
“We were a bit concerned in the beginning and weren’t sure how people were going to take this opportunity, but so far it does seem that consumer confidence has not been affected too much.
“And where it has been affected, we believe the measures we have put in place will help with that.
Mr Murray has also welcomed the change in culture, as some of his venues have been open for the past week for outside dining and drinks.
“Right now the biggest issue is ensuring we can control costs as much as possible as we have no guarantee over what the level of trade is going to be.
“People do seem to be out enjoying a meal and the company of others though and that is quite a refreshing thing to see coming out of this.”
Elgin’s independent restaurant and pizzeria, Scribbles, will also restart indoor dining today, having run a takeaway-only service during lockdown.
Owner Faith Houlding said the industry as a whole faced an array of “tricky decisions” but added: “The public seems to be quite confident with coming out as we have had a lot of bookings.
“We were shut for three weeks and then reopened for takeaway trade.
“We have given staff face shields rather than masks as you still have to be able to see people’s facial expressions.
“There are hand sanitiser stations for people too and we have also installed perspex screens.”
The four star Macdonald Drumossie Hotel will also open its doors today, with one way systems and enhanced hygiene controls put in place to protect both guests and staff.
Angela Wilson, events manager, said the hotel is not sure what to expect but is looking forward to welcoming guests once again.
She said: “The last week has been great, with solid bookings coming in for July and September.
“We have some international travellers coming back and interest from some people who had meant to go further afield.
“People are looking to come to Inverness and the Highlands for a ‘safe-cation’ because it is seen as being that little bit safer.”
Ms Sturgeon yesterday warned of a resurgence of covid 19 such as that experienced by California – where a surge forced bars, indoor dining, gyms, church and other venues to close – if the public does not continue to take care.
She said: “Our most immediate risk is not the autumn or winter second wave – though that’s a real risk that we are very alive to.
“Our most immediate risk is a resurgence of the first wave.
“What we’re seeing in California right now, Melbourne, and other parts of the world is not a second wave. It is that continuation of the first wave.”
Pauline McIntosh at the Gordon Arms Hotel in Fochabers was careful to ensure all staff had PPE and perspex screens had been set up ahead of today’s reopening.
She said: “We are putting in all the measures that are needed for the government guidelines.
“The customers will be safe and hopefully everything will go back to normal as soon as possible.”
