UK: Guidance on the reopening of hotels, restaurants and pubs is being drawn up by the government department of business, and is likely to be published this week.
Draft advice for the industry has already been circulated by the department for business, energy and industry strategy (Beis), reports the Financial Times.
Advice includes:
- Venues setting a maximum number of customers in order to maintain the two-metre distance.
- An examination of outdoor and indoor space to figure out ways to keep customers apart.
- Tables set two meters apart, with queuing systems in place such as for the toilets.
- Serving staff to bring food on trays, along with mobile payment machines.
- For venues serving food, disposable sachets of condiments are to be provided, or for each condiment bottle to be cleaned after each use.
- Staff will be encouraged to wash hands regularly and keep a safe distance as opposed to wearing PPE.
- Kitchen teams and front-of-house teams are to be kept separate.
According to The Independent, senior Conservatives have urged Boris Johnson to review the two-metre distancing rule, stating that a reduction to this limit will be vital for restarting the hospitality sector.
The British government has said the hospitality industry should remain closed until at least July 4, when ministers will decide whether it should be allowed to reopen.
