Scotland’s leading hospitality bosses are urging people not to play “Covid Russian roulette” by attending house parties this weekend.
Heath professionals have repeated warnings about household mixing causing infection rates to soar.
And members of the Scottish Hospitality Group, comprised of the country’s largest and best-known restaurant and bar businesses, have advised customers to prevent socialising at home to help minimise the spread of coronavirus.
It follows a warning by Scotland’s national clinical director, Jason Leitch, highlighting the dangers of people all gathering under one roof in the absence of having pubs or nightclubs to socialise in after 10pm.
Stephen Montgomery runs two successful hotels in Dumfries and urged customers to following the government’s advice to help give the country the upper hand in battling the deadly disease.
He said: “Professor Jason Leitch was spot on when he identified household mixing as the major cause of increased infections.
“Unlike in bars and restaurants, where there is track and trace technology, social distancing, PPE and strict hygiene rules, if you go to a house party this weekend, you’re just playing Covid Russian roulette.”
The newly formed organisation – which employs more than 6,000 people – also stressed that further tightening of lockdown could force many pubs, restaurants and hotels to close their doors for good.
Mr Montgomery added: “We’re urging people to follow the official advice not to take the huge risk of socialising at home, and to do so safely in Scotland’s bars and restaurants, where they can be sure that all possible precautions have been taken to look after them properly.”
