Coronavirus: Scotland’s drinking ban in chaos over meaning of cafe

Nicola Sturgeon's 16-day ban called dysfunctional' after contradictory statements

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Scotland's nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking descended into chaos on Thursday evening, less than 24 hours before strict new regulations on hospitality are due to come into force.

Many business owners in central Scotland, where a 16-day shutdown of pubs, restaurants and cafes that serve alcohol was announced by Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday, claimed that they were still uncertain whether they were expected to close at 6pm on Friday as trade bodies described the Scottish government's behaviour as dysfunctional".