Latest Coronavirus restrictions
On Monday November 2 a new five-tier system of restrictions was introduced across each of Scotland's local authority areas. Levels (0-4) are be based on the prevalence of the virus. This is reviewed regularly.
Following a review by the Scottish Government on December 8 Aberdeen remains in Level 2, however this will be closely monitored and may change ahead of the next national government review which is to take place on December 15.
Aberdeen City Council aims to revise its COVID-19 web pages as quickly as possible in response to government updates.
Covid-19 – Regulations
Throughout the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, our priority is to protect public health, while providing support and advice to businesses across Aberdeen City.
The council has enforcement powers under legislation which has been made to introduce new temporary restrictions to help reduce the spread of the virus.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 come into force on Monday 2nd November.
The Council is the main regulator for retail, wholesale distribution and warehousing, hotel and catering premises, offices, and the consumer/leisure industries, including the requirements of physical distancing on these premises. We will be publishing information about what the new measures mean for businesses on this page in response to evolving government guidance.
You may contact us if you have any questions
If you have concerns about a business in Aberdeen or want advice on what you can or can not do please contact us using our online form.
New Restrictions for Hospitality Premises
We have published a separate page providing information for Hospitality Businesses in Aberdeen
Businesses in Scotland which must close or remain closed in Level 2
The following businesses and premises must close or remain closed. This reflects regulations that are in force.
- a nightclub, dance hall or discotheque,
- a concert hall,
- any other venue which;
- (i) normally opens at night,
- (ii) has a dance floor or other space for dancing or spectating by members of the public (and for these purposes, members of staff of the venue in question are to be considered members of the public), and(iii) provides music, whether live or recorded
- a sexual entertainment venue
- an indoor or outdoor theatre,
- a comedy club,
- a soft play centre,
- a sports stadium,
- a conference or exhibition centre,
- a snooker or pool hall,
- a bowling alley,
- a casino,
- a funfair
These businesses and venues must remain closed as they involve prolonged close social contact, which increases the chance of infection spreading.
Close contact services in Level 2
Mobile close contact service providers must not operate in level 2 with the exception of hairdressers and barbers.
Mobile close contact services which must not operate include:
- beauty and nail services (including make-up),
- hair removal
- tattoo, piercing and body modification
- fashion design, dress-fitting and tailoring
- indoor portrait photography
- massage therapies
- complementary and alternative medicine services requiring physical contact or close physical proximity between persons, but not osteopathy and chiropractic services,
- spa and wellness services,
- other services or procedures which require physical contact or close physical proximity between a provider and a customer and are not ancillary to medical, health, or social care services.
Close contact retail services are permitted to operate providing they follow Scottish Government guidance to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Physical distancing for business, services, and places of worship
All businesses, services and places of worship must take measures to ensure, where reasonably practicable
- The required distance is maintained between any persons on the premises (except for members of the same household or persons and their carers or between school pupils)
- They only admit people in sufficiently small numbers to make the required distance possible
- The required distance in any queue to enter the premises is maintained
Other measures need to be taken to minimise the covid-19 risk including:
- changing the layout
- controlling use of entrances or shared facilities
- installing screens
- use of PPE and signage
The required distance
For some premises known as ‘reduced distance premises’, it is at least 1m whilst for all other premises, it is 2m.
And reduced distance premises are:
- Passenger transport service premises (bus stations, train stations, etc);
- Restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs.
A business can move to the reduced 1m distance only if it has ‘mitigation measures’ in place.
Premises used for retail sale or hire of goods (shops) return to 2 metre physical distancing and reintroduce the mitigations they had in place earlier in the pandemic.
The requirement to collect customer and visitor details
So that the test and protect system can function as effectively as possible the following services should continue to follow guidance from the Scottish Government and collect and store customer details:
- Tourism and leisure, including theme parks, museums, and cinemas
- Close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, dress fitters, tailors, and fashion designers
- Facilities provided by local authorities, such as libraries, leisure centres, and registration offices
- Cremation authorities, burial authorities, places of worship or funeral director service rooms offering funeral services
- Places of worship which are reopening for congregational services and communal prayer or contemplation
The requirements do not apply where services are taken off-site immediately, for example, a library operating a click-and-collect service or a food outlet that only provides takeaways. If premises offer a mixture of an on-site and collection service, contact information only needs to be collected for customers who remain on-site.
Enforcement
Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers from the Protective Services team will be employing a robust enforcement approach.
Officers will be visiting hospitality businesses during busy periods and will take immediate action if it is required.
Enforcement Options:
- Prohibition Notices may be issued to the business under the The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations or the Health & Safety at Work Etc Act.
- Fixed Penalty Notices may be issued by officers from Police Scotland
- A report may be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
- We may object to Occasional Licences.
- We may recommend that any permissions to use public spaces are revoked.
- We may instigate a Public Health Review of the Licence.
Guidance for Business
The Scottish Government has published guidance for the following sectors:
- Construction
- Food
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Transport
- Forestry and Environmental management activities
- Farmers and Crofters
- Tourism and hospitality
- Small and micro businesses
- Cinemas and drive-in cinemas
- The Events sector
- Swimming Pools
- Fitness Centres/Gyms
Social media
For the latest news from Aberdeen Trading Standards visit the Trading Standards Twitter page.