Lockdown easing: East Lothian businesses excited to open at last

Hospitality venues, retail, libraries, museums and indoor sporting facilities are among the venues which will be able to open in some capacity.

Travel to other parts of the UK will also be allowed.

READ MORE: The six key things to know about Level 3 lockdown easing

Pubs, restaurants and cafes, many of which have been operating takeaway services over the past few months, will be able to open with one-metre physical distancing in place.

Those with beer gardens can open fully and serve both food and alcohol to a maximum of six people from six households.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will only be permitted inside until 8pm, to a maximum of six people from two households.

Karen Fleming, from Haddington’s Plough Tavern, was among those looking forward to Monday.

She said: “I cannot wait.

“I have never had four months off in my life. It was bad enough last year but the winter time was even worse for me.

“We had gone through so much and lost so much; your beer goes out of date, your juice goes out of date. I was coming in and checking the mail and the premises three or four times a week and checking the dates.”

The beer garden at the pub will open on Monday, with customers sanitising on arrival and signing a track and trace book. They will then be sat at a table, with a one-way system in place for anyone going to the toilet.

While many are excited at the prospect of being open once more, there is some confusion over the rules and how they will operate.

Those at the Volunteer Arms in Dunbar say they are “looking forward to opening once more and seeing everyone again”.

A staff member said: “It is OK doing takeaways but it isn’t quite the same.

“We are also feeling a little bit confused because the guidance from the Government has come out so late and there is a lot of ideas going around about how we will do social distancing at tables as well as social distancing in the establishment, so there is a little trepidation about that.”

Alan Russell owns the Longniddry Inn and Adniston Manor in Macmerry.

He also said some of the rules “bemused” him but was happy to be able to open and showcase the Longniddry Inn’s new beer garden.

He said: “We at the Longniddry Inn are opening on Monday with a brand new beer garden to enable our customers to drink alcohol and eat outside along with indoors for food and soft drinks.

“The hospitality industry in general are bemused by the decision on alcohol and as usual we have been made the scapegoats.

“The hospitality sector have spent a fortune on securing their premises with suitable measures for social distancing. Now we need contact details from all customers, not just the lead name. We have to adhere to strict capacity numbers.

“What do the supermarkets have to do and still sell alcohol, which can be purchased and taken back to someone’s house and consumed?

“In our industry we can govern what people drink in a safe and distanced environment.

“We have been overwhelmed by the bookings for our reopening and would like to thank our customers for their continued support.”

Takeaway venues will be able to resume normal service on Monday and allow customers to pick up food from inside the premises.

Also able to reopen are all shops and stores, and close contacts services (including mobile services) such as beauty salons.

Karla Green, chair of Haddington Business Community Partnership, felt it was another step in the right direction for businesses.

Mrs Green, from East Lothian TV and Video Repair Centre, said: “I think it will be a huge boost. Everybody is looking forward to it.

“I think this is our second week since we came back and everybody is popping their head in the door and saying it is great to be back.

“Everybody is confused with the dates and who is opening next.

“Hairdressers are doing a roaring trade, while barbers have slowed down this week, but the town is really looking forward to the openings.”

Mrs Green told the Courier the coronavirus restrictions had been tough for everybody, including the hospitality sector.

Now, she was hopeful people would continue to shop local.

Visitor attractions and public buildings, such as galleries and museums, can also reopen and welcome back visitors.

Historic Environment Scotland has already confirmed that both Dirleton and Tantallon Castles will open next Friday (April 30), with online bookings now open.

The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick is reopening on Monday.

On May 3, libraries in Haddington and Musselburgh open on limited hours, as does the local history service and museum in the John Gray Centre in Haddington, and the John Muir Birthplace museum in Dunbar, all on an appointment basis.

On May 10, Dunbar and Prestonpans libraries reopen, followed by North Berwick and Tranent on May 17.

Tourist accommodation can reopen from Monday but in-house socialising rules must be followed.

Gyms, swimming pools and sports centres can also reopen for individual exercise, although the pools at Musselburgh and North Berwick will not be opening yet as work is still taking place there.

The number of people able to attend weddings and funerals will increase to 50, with receptions after each event allowed, also with a maximum of 50, and alcohol able to be consumed

Visits to people in hospital are recommended to be at least one per patient, with additional visitors at the discretion of hospital management.

Visits to care homes will from Monday be a recommended minimum of two indoor visits per week, one person at a time, again with additional visitors being at the discretion of each care home.

Non-essential work inside homes will be able to take place, and non-essential informal childcare and driving lessons can also resume.

All children will be able to return to school from Monday and adults who are shielding can also return to work if they cannot work from home.

Leisure venues, such as theatres and concert halls, and stadiums are not yet able to reopen, while people are encouraged to continue working from home where possible and indoor socialising is still prohibited.

Scotland is due to enter Level 2 restrictions on May 17, when socialising numbers will increase, alcohol can be consumed in indoor hospitality venues, all sport will be allowed except indoor adult contact sport, leisure and entertainment venues can reopen and stadiums can open to fans.