These Regulations, coming into force on 25th September 2020,  amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the principal regulations”):

·         Regulation 2(2) inserts new regulations:

o   Regulation 6A requires a person who is responsible for relevant hospitality premises to close those premises to members of the public between the hours of 2200 and 0500, subject to certain exceptions; and

o   Regulation 6B provides that a person who is responsible for a relevant hospitality premises may sell food or drink only where the food or drink is sold for consumption on the premises by persons sitting at a table or is sold for consumption off the premises.

·         Regulation 8 of the principal regulations makes provision restricting gatherings in public places.

o   Regulation 2(3) of these Regulations amends regulation 8 of the principal regulations to provide exceptions for gatherings which take place outdoors and consist of persons who are all under 18 years of age.

o   Regulation 2(3) also makes modified provision regarding children under 12 years of age when determining the number of households or persons participating in a gathering in a public place.

·         Regulation 2(4) amends regulation 9 of the principal regulations with the effect that a gathering at a private dwelling, unless an exception applies, may only take place outdoors and where the gathering consists of no more than six persons from no more than two households.

Further exceptions are provided for gatherings which take place outdoors and consist of persons who are all under 18 years of age, or where the gathering is for the purposes of facilitating shared parental arrangements.