Press statement: STA reaction to Prime Minister’s announcement on lowering of the 2 metre physical distancing rule

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced further lockdown easing for England today and plans on allowing pubs, restaurants, museums and cinemas to begin re-opening.

Among today’s announcements was the news that the 2 metre social distancing rule will be reduced to ‘1 metre plus’ as a result of the recent review of the measure, signalling the green light for major parts of the tourism and hospitality industry south of the border to reopen.

Guidelines are expected to be published later today.

Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance responded to today’s announcement saying;

“The Prime Minister’s announcement on the easing of the 2 metre physical distance rule will offer a huge comfort to thousands of tourism businesses south of the border which quite simply would have been unable to operate in an economically viable way if this rule was to remain in place.  From 4 July, England’s tourism industry is back open for business and with that in mind, I would imagine many Scots are now turning thoughts to holidaying there.

It is absolutely vital that the review of the 2 metre rule in Scotland is completed as expediently as possible to offer Scotland’s tourism industry the lifeline it so badly needs to get all of our sectors up and running as safely and quickly as possible and give Scots the option of holidaying here.  Businesses urgently need a definitive decision and our entire sector is pinning hopes on Scotland’s First Minister following suit with similar announcement as soon as is possible.”