Scotland’s Tourism Secretary, Fergus Ewing, has advised businesses in the tourism sector to be prepared for reopening on the 15th July. This date is conditional on Scotland moving to the third phase of the route map for easing lockdown restrictions, and may change if evidence on COVID-19 requires it. The Scottish Government has confirmed that this applies to pubs, hotels, restaurants and self-catering properties that satisfy safety guidelines. It is expected the go-ahead to reopen will be given at the scheduled review on the 9th July.

Mr Ewing said “Businesses should start to prepare for a provisional return to trading – with appropriate safety guidelines – on 15 July 2020. This date cannot be definitive and is conditional on public health advice and progression to phase three of the route map.” He added “Businesses must now use this time to satisfy the necessary regulations and adapt to the new way of living.” Guidance will be issued by the Scottish Government for how businesses can prepare to re-open.

This announcement has been welcomed by the Scottish Tourism Alliance as a “hugely positive milestone in our road to recovery” however chief executive of the STA, Marc Crothall, stated urgent solutions or alternative measures were needed to overcome the current two metre distancing restrictions, and called for some parts of the tourism sector, such as self-catering properties and caravan parks, to be allowed to reopen earlier. The news was also welcomed by Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers who added “Scotland’s self-caterers have grasped the task of preparing to open again and in doing so have created our own stringent and thorough protocols for cleaning our properties” and said “We are ready and able to get Scottish Tourism moving again”.

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