CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus in Scotland: Backlash as Sturgeon acts to stop virus surge

First minister accused of business ‘death sentence’
The first minister‘s new curbs to try to stop a resurgence in coronavirus cases has alarmed the hospitality trade
The first minister‘s new curbs to try to stop a resurgence in coronavirus cases has alarmed the hospitality trade
STEVEN SCOTT TAYLOR/ALAMY

Nicola Sturgeon has warned that Scotland is weeks away from a catastrophic rise in fatalities as she faced claims that her new rules have handed pubs and restaurants a “death sentence”.

The first minister revealed that the virus appears to be spreading faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK and that the country will be careering towards peak infection levels and casualties by the end of the month.

To curb the spread, she announced yesterday that pubs and restaurants would be banned from serving alcohol indoors in Scotland for 16 days from tomorrow. The “circuit-breaker” restrictions would also limit opening hours to 6am-6pm.

In five hotspots, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, pubs will be closed altogether and people will be advised against using