Donald Macaskill said he is probably more pessimistic about the state of the industry now than he was during the darkest days of Covid.
Full crowds will be allowed at Scottish football grounds from Monday as Covid restrictions on outdoors events are eased.
Scotland reported another record number of daily Covid cases on Wednesday but there will be no immediate changes to restrictions.
Public health officials have urged Scots to get boosted for the bells as Omicron continues to spread at speed across the country.
The retail and hospitality industries fear a wave of job losses across Scotland in the wake of the latest Covid restrictions unless emergency relief is put in place urgently.
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From the DC Thomson Media Centre