When will pubs reopen? Date Scottish bars, restaurants and cafes will open as Scotland enters phase 3

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined a list of changes dates for Scotland’s route map out of lockdown on 9 July, including when pubs, restaurants and beer gardens will reopen.

Scotland will now move into phase three of easing its lockdown, with a number of changes due to take effect this month, starting from 10 July.

When will pubs and beer gardens reopen?

Thousands of pubs and restaurants across Scotland were hoping for the green light to reopen in June after the Scottish Government’s “route map” out of lockdown, published in May, suggested beer gardens would be allowed to reopen in Phase 2.

Sturgeon confirmed on 24 June that outdoor hospitality, including beer gardens, would be allowed to reopen from 6 July.

It was confirmed on Thursday (9 July) that Scotland will move into phase three of the lockdown route map on 9 July, after which more rules will be changed.

From 15 July, Ms Sturgeon announced that pubs and restaurants will be able to open their indoor spaces, following Covid-19 safety guidance and mitigation measures.

What will be the new rules in pubs and restaurants?

Due to the increased risk posed by indoor meetings, Ms Sturgeon stressed that pubs and restaurants must adhere to strict safety rules when they reopen, to minimise the risk of transmission.

She said: “It is essential that the guidance on health and safety is followed rigorously, by businesses, staff and customers.

"That includes guidance on physical distancing and taking customer contact details."

Hospitality venues will be allowed to ease the one-metre rule with mitigations in place, the First Minister confirmed.

Business in the hospitality sector will also be required to take names and contact details of customers and store them for four weeks, and Ms Sturgeon said businesses “should be preparing for that now”.

What other rules will change in phase 3?

With Scotland’s journey out of lockdown being done in phases, changes to seeing family and friends, the reopening of businesses, and opening places of worship were among the next restrictions to be eased.

Here are all the key changes for July:

10 July

Face coverings will be mandatory in shops.

People can meet up to four other households outdoors, of up to 15 people, while physical distancing.

As for meeting indoors, three households, up to a maximum of eight people, can meet inside while physical distancing, including for overnight stays.

Households are limited to meeting up with four other households in total in one day, indoors or outdoors, but these limits do not apply for people under the age of 18, and couples who live in different households can form an extended household group, including children under 18, without the need for distancing measures. Physical distancing indoors will end for children under the age of 12.

13 July

Organised outdoor contact sports for children and young people resume, subject to guidance.

Non-essential shops within shopping centres can reopen.

Non-aerosol routine care dental care will return.

Pregnant women can have a designated person accompany them to ante and post-natal appointments.

15 July

Hairdressers and barbers can reopen, along with indoor pubs and restaurants, following guidance and mitigation measures.

Scotland's tourism sector can reopen, including all holiday accommodation.

Museums, galleries, monuments, cinemas and libraries can reopen with precautions in place, such as purchasing tickets in advance.

Places of worship can reopen for communal prayer and contemplation, with physical distancing and limited numbers.

Restrictions on attendance at weddings and funerals will be eased, but numbers remain limited and physical distancing is required.

The childcare sector can fully reopen.

22 July

A phased return to campus for universities and colleges can start with physical distancing in place, as part of a blended model with remote teaching.

Personal retail services, including beauticians and tailors, can reopen with enhanced hygiene measures.

Motorcycle instruction and theory tests can resume.