Scotland returns to social distancing in pubs and restaurants but £100m made available to help businesses

Today, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has requested that the people of Scotland to limit socialising to no more than three households, in the approaching period to Christmas and to generally minimise social contact with other households, where possible. Theses requested measures are in response to concerns regarding the Omicron variant.

Ms Sturgeon as stated that the above measures are not to apply on Christmas day and has encouraged people not to cancel Christmas day celebrations, with places of worship are to remain open.

Retail and hospitality venues have also been asked to reinstate physical distancing and screens to help combat the spread of the Omicron variant.

Whilst the above guidelines on socialising are not legislation, Ms Sturgeon has warned the Scottish people: "Although it is guidance, please do not think of it as optional."

To assist business in the hospitality and food supply chains who have been impacted by the cancelation of Christmas parties, the Scottish government pledged to provide £100m of funding to support those affected businesses.

The Scottish government is also working to identify further mass vaccination centres as part of a push to offer a booster jab to all adults by the end of the month, making funding available to facilitate the accelerated vaccine rollout.