Nightclubs in Scotland to close for three weeks from December 27
The club closure comes after news of restrictions on large events and hospitality venues earlier this week
Nightclubs are expected to close for three weeks from December 27 in Scotland.
Venues can open on Boxing Day night, but restrictions are due to be put in place at 5:AM the following day.
Earlier this week, Scotland announced that nightclubs would be capped at a capacity of 100 people from Boxing Day.
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Other restrictions announced on Tuesday included pubs and restaurants to follow social distancing and to only serve customers at tables from December 27.
Nightclubs have the option to function as bars but will have to introduce social distancing and table service.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced this latest rule, adding that a new law would require nightclubs to close rather than have them try to enforce one-metre distancing between customers.
He also explained that the decision to shut late-night venues had been taken after speaking with business owners and that funding will be made available to support affected businesses.
Mr Swinney has said: "We consider that closure in regulations, combined with financial support, may reduce losses and help these businesses whether what we hope will be a short period until they are able to operate normally again."
He also added: "We have to reduce dramatically the level of social interaction if we want to interrupt the circulation of Omicron".
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Mr Swinney told MSPs that there had been a "rapid acceleration of cases driven by the Omicron variant" in recent weeks. And that there are concerns that the faster-spreading variant could overwhelm health services - despite evidence that less people are needing hospital treatment than with other variants.
The Scottish Conservatives said closing them again was "a further setback to a sector already on its knees".
[Via: BBC]
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter