Police are ramping up patrols and deploying more officers to the streets in order to oversee new coronavirus restrictions on Scotland’s hospitality industry.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will not be able to serve alcohol indoors from 6pm on Friday as new measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19 across the country come into effect.
Licensed premises with outdoor seating areas can continue to service booze until 10pm, except in five Central Belt health board areas where they must close completely.
Police Scotland announced additional officers and patrols on Friday evening and across the weekend in order to ensure businesses are complying with the new rules.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Officers will be highly visible in communities over the weekend to engage with the public, explain the new advice, guidance and restrictions and encourage people to do the right thing.
“From the start of this pandemic, the people of Scotland have demonstrated impressive personal responsibility. They know that following the advice and adhering to the rules is the best way to combat the spread of coronavirus.
“These significant restrictions on our freedoms do not affect everyone equally and I have been clear from the outset that constables will exercise the discretion of their office to work with our fellow citizens in a collective effort to protect lives.
“The police service of Scotland will continue to work with courtesy, compassion and common sense to help keep people safe.”
Mr Livingstone also issued a warning to the “small minority” who are continuing to breach Scottish Government guidelines by hosting gatherings and house parties.
Provisional police data, valid as of October 4, revealed officers responded to 271 gatherings in breach of Covid-19 regulations, issuing 106 fixed penalty notices and making 18 arrests.
Mr Livingstone added: “Despite overwhelming levels of co-operation and support, I am concerned that a small minority of people continue to host or participate in house parties and house gatherings.
“While restrictions have changed quickly and often, I do not believe anyone in Scotland can be in any doubt that house gatherings and house parties allow the virus to spread and are unlawful.
“It is very clear that, with some legitimate exemptions, people should not be visiting each other’s houses.
“Where we encounter wilful, repeated, persistent or flagrant breaches we will, as the public would expect and support, act decisively to enforce the law.”
In total, Police Scotland has taken action against 4,000 people in the country in relation to coronavirus rules.
