High street retailers will be allowed to reopen stores in Scotland from June 29, though the measures announced by the first minister mean shopping centres must remain shut.
Nicola Sturgeon said today that shops in Scotland of all sizes would be allowed to reopen for business from June 29 as long as they have outdoor entrances and exits, which rules out the reopening of shopping centres.
Sturgeon also said retailers should begin putting in place plans to ensure stores can be operated safely with two-metre social distancing measures in place to protect staff and customers.
The Scottish government has taken a more cautious approach to reopening the economy than the Westminster government has in England, where high street, retail park stores and shopping centres reopened on Monday.
Sturgeon, who has been criticised by Scottish Conservatives for being too cautious, said it was vital businesses reopened “safely and in a way that is consistent with continued suppression of the virus”.
Scottish Retail Consortium chief executive David Lonsdale said the announcement was a “significant milestone” that provided “much-needed clarity on the path ahead”.
The Scottish government also said other businesses such as dentists, indoor workplaces and warehouses can reopen from the same date.
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