Pub owners have been warned they are risking people’s lives by staying open.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants, among other venues, on Friday to close in a strengthening of measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Today First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thanked the majority of businesses that followed the advice but issued a stark warning to the “tiny majority” who didn’t.
She said: “Let me be blunt – in doing so, they put lives at risk. My message to them is close now. We will have emergency powers within days and we will use them to make you close if we have to. You should do the right thing now and help us save lives.”
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, Police Scotland’s lead for coronavirus, said the decision to stay open was “absolutely reckless and endangers not only the lives of customers, but wider communities, in an extremely fast moving and unprecedented situation where both the health and safety of the nation is at stake”.
“Therefore, I have obtained further legal advice today and Police Scotland will now instruct officers to serve emergency closure orders on any licensed premises which refuses to comply on the grounds of the threat posed to public safety” he said.
“Officers are now visiting these premises today to have them closed.
“A compulsory closure under the Licensing Scotland Act remains in place for 24 hours but can be repeated as necessary.
“We will also report them to their relevant Licensing Board for further action to be considered.
“We are aware of the proposed legislation in relation to coronavirus, and are carefully considering the implications in this very fast moving situation.
“These are exceptional times and I would again urge everyone to stay safe and listen to the clear advice coming from health experts and government.”
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM added: “I am fully supportive of the enforcement action taken today which is entirely proportionate to the threat posed to the safety of Scotland’s communities.
“I have a clear, positive duty to both protect life and improve the safety and wellbeing of people across Scotland, while supporting the government and health agencies in our fight against this pandemic.”
