The First Minister has today said the local restrictions in Aberdeen City following a spike in cases of COVID-19 will continue for at least another week. This will mean that hospitality businesses in the city will have to remain closed and a 5 mile travel restriction will remain in place for those living within Aberdeen City.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired said: “We respect the First Minister’s direction today and note progress has been made in our city as we work towards a further lifting of restrictions next week. To that end, we will continue to work with Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian and other partners in supporting our business community in the city centre.
“In the interim, it is worth saying that great swathes of our excellent retail offering remain open for business, with the necessary safety measures in place to reassure.
“Of course, our Hospitality businesses in the city have been hit particularly hard, with some 15,000 people directly employed in this sector. Many have put the very best safety practices in place and none have been found to breach any guideline or legislative requirement with regard to the current situation. However, expectedly there has been learning and we must do all that we can to reduce the risk once they are allowed to re-open. It cannot be over-emphasised that this needs the customer to accept personal responsibility too.
“Towns and city centres across the country and beyond are facing unparalleled challenges on what was an already difficult operating environment pre-covid, and Aberdeen is not immune. None of us are blinded to the challenges, but it is only by working truly together will we make the progress the heart of our city desperately needs and deserves. So many people depend on it.”