FM: Avoid pub or salon if you won't give contact details

Scots have been warned not to visit pubs, places of worship and hairdressers if they are not prepared to give their contact details.

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are set to reopen for business on Wednesday.

As part of the Scottish Government’s contact tracing system, customers are expected to provide contact details so people can be tracked following any potential positive cases of coronavirus.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Data collection is very important, it means that customers or staff can be notified if they come into contact with somebody who is subsequently found to have Covid-19.

“It’s therefore absolutely crucial to our test and protect system, and it’s one of the measures that we hope will help to build public and staff confidence as more premises reopen.”

Sturgeon was speaking as Scotland recorded a sixth consecutive day without a registered death from coronavirus.

Only two people confirmed to have Covid-19 are currently in intensive care.

After urging businesses to read updated guidance before tomorrow’s opening, Sturgeon added: “I would make a plea to all customers to accept that, if you want to go somewhere like a hairdresser or a place of worship or to a popular restaurant, you will be asked to provide contact details.

“You should co-operate with anyone who is asking you to do that.

“In fact, if you’re not prepared to provide your contact details, my message to you is pretty blunt: don’t go to these places, because you could be putting others at greater risk.

“Today’s guidance is in the best interest of businesses and the public overall, and all of us, as has been the case throughout this crisis, have a shared interest in making it work effectively.”