Pubs and restaurants across Aberdeen have been ordered to close following a “significant outbreak” of coronavirus cases.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the decision at a briefing in Edinburgh earlier today for all facilities to close by 5pm.

She said that 191 contacts from 20 pubs and restaurants have been traced in relation to the cluster, contributing to a greater fear of a second wave across Scotland.
People are being told not to travel to the Scottish city and the 228,000 residents within the area cannot visit other households.

Reports of an outbreak is believed to have started at the Hawthorn bar in Holborn Street with 32 positive cases confirmed after a customer who had the virus visited the premises on Sunday, 26th July.

Later that day, the same person then visited the Soul bar, on Union Street, which resulted in management deciding to close all their venues.

The Cock and Bull, in Balmedie, then confirmed that a customer who tested positive for the visited on that evening.

Ms Sturgeon said the situation in Aberdeen should be “the biggest wake-up call” since the early days of the pandemic.

A decision to review the current lockdown restrictions will be next week, the same time when schools in Scotland are set to reopen.

When sked if it was safe for schools to reopen in Aberdeen, Ms Sturgeon said: “If it’s a choice between hospitality and schools, we are choosing schools right now.”
Scotland has recorded over 4,200 deaths after testing positive for coronavirus since March.