Scottish pubs and bars must collect customer details by law from today

Ms Sturgeon said that, although the new rules for hospitality businesses are “really restrictive”, they are necessary to protect the public.

Pubs and bars must, by law, take contact details from all their customers from today, as new Scottish government rules on hospitality come into force.

The Scottish government hopes the rule change will help Test and Protect officials perform contact tracing more effectively, after a surge in Covid-19 cases in Scotland.

Announcing the measures last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the hospitality sector was a “common factor” in the rise of new coronavirus outbreaks around the world.

Pubs and bars must, by law, take contact details from all their customers from today, as new Scottish government rules on hospitality come into force. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

She said settings like pubs and restaurants were particularly susceptible to the virus.

While she said the majority of businesses had complied with coronavirus measures imposed on hospitality, she added: "it is clear there are some businesses where that has not been the case".

“Really restrictive” new rules for venues

New rules designed to combat the spread of coronavirus also make clear that hospitality venues should be asking people to pre-book tables and that there should be no queues to enter.

TVs should be muted and background music is banned, to prevent customers from shouting or leaning closer to one another.

No more than three households at a time can meet each other in a group.

Staff may wear face shields or visors in addition to face masks, but not instead of them.

Ms Sturgeon said that the new rules for hospitality businesses may be “really restrictive”, but were necessary to protect the public.

Police Scotland will enforce the measures if necessary.

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