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Coronavirus: When will pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopen? Coronavirus: When will pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopen?
(about 5 hours later)
Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in England may soon be able to reopen their doors for the first time since lockdown began in March. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to confirm if the hospitality sector can reopen on 4 July. Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in England will soon be able to welcome customers inside for the first time since lockdown began in March.
Mr Johnson is also expected to announce 2m (6ft) social distancing in England will be relaxed, with some conditions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on 23 June that they would be able to reopen on 4 July.
He also announced that two metre social distancing would be relaxed to "one metre plus", with some conditions.
But despite the easing of restrictions, a trip to a local bar or place to eat could be a very different experience from how it was before the coronavirus outbreak.But despite the easing of restrictions, a trip to a local bar or place to eat could be a very different experience from how it was before the coronavirus outbreak.
When will reopening begin?When will reopening begin?
In its plan published on 11 May, the government said that the hospitality sector - which includes pubs, bars and restaurants - could start to reopen "no earlier than 4 July", if Covid-19 safety guidelines could be met.
It has yet to announce details of what these guidelines would be, but they are expected to include rules on social distancing, heightened hygiene procedures and protection of bar and restaurant staff.
What are the rules now?
On 20 March, all pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes were asked to shut in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.On 20 March, all pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes were asked to shut in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The only exceptions to this were cafes and canteens at a few selected places such as schools, hospitals and prisons.The only exceptions to this were cafes and canteens at a few selected places such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
Since then, many restaurants have started offering food delivery and takeaways in order to generate income while their doors are closed. Some pubs have also been allowed to offer takeaway beers. Since then, many restaurants have started offering food delivery and takeaways to generate income while their doors are closed. Some pubs have also been allowed to offer takeaway beers.
From 4 July, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to reopen with certain restrictions, including changes to shift patterns, mandatory table service and more use of hand sanitiser. The guidelines are due to be updated soon, a government spokesperson said.
What about the rest of the UK?What about the rest of the UK?
Each nation is setting its own rules for the reopening of food and drink outlets:Each nation is setting its own rules for the reopening of food and drink outlets:
What are the main obstacles to reopening? What other measures may be taken?
The chief worry for many people in the hospitality industry is the issue of social distancing. Some have insisted that the current 2m social distancing makes it impossible for bars, cafes and restaurants to make a profit.
Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of the industry body UK Hospitality, says that with a 2m rule, outlets would be only able to make about 30% of normal revenues, whereas 1m would increase that to 60-75%.
Some Conservative MPs have added their support for reducing social distancing, and the prime minister said on 10 June that the 2m guidance was "under constant review".
What other measures could be taken?
At the weekend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested people visiting pubs may have to register before going for a pint.At the weekend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested people visiting pubs may have to register before going for a pint.
He said the government is looking at ways to strengthen contact tracing, as the economy reopens.He said the government is looking at ways to strengthen contact tracing, as the economy reopens.
The Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca says it is considering a range of measures to keep staff and workers safe.The Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca says it is considering a range of measures to keep staff and workers safe.
Customers are likely to be given the option of ordering food on apps, while staff will be encouraged to wash their hands every 20 minutes.Customers are likely to be given the option of ordering food on apps, while staff will be encouraged to wash their hands every 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Wetherspoons pub chain has said its staff will be provided with face masks and protective eyewear and it will run a reduced food menu.Meanwhile, the Wetherspoons pub chain has said its staff will be provided with face masks and protective eyewear and it will run a reduced food menu.
Bottles of ketchup and mayonnaise will be replaced by individual sachets. Customers will also be encouraged to sit outside in pub gardens, while some indoor seating areas will be separated by Perspex screens.Bottles of ketchup and mayonnaise will be replaced by individual sachets. Customers will also be encouraged to sit outside in pub gardens, while some indoor seating areas will be separated by Perspex screens.
How is the hospitality sector coping during lockdown? How did the hospitality sector cope during lockdown?
The hospitality sector was the third-largest employer in the country in 2018, according to UK Hospitality.The hospitality sector was the third-largest employer in the country in 2018, according to UK Hospitality.
But many restaurants and cafes were already struggling even before the Covid-19 outbreak, in the face of rising rents and falling consumer spending.But many restaurants and cafes were already struggling even before the Covid-19 outbreak, in the face of rising rents and falling consumer spending.
Since lockdown began, job cuts and closures have been announced by chains such as Frankie & Benny's and Carluccio's. In the lockdown, job cuts and closures were announced by chains such as Frankie & Benny's and Carluccio's.
Thousands of workers in the industry have been furloughed under the government's job retention scheme, which allows them to receive 80% of their monthly salary up to £2,500.Thousands of workers in the industry have been furloughed under the government's job retention scheme, which allows them to receive 80% of their monthly salary up to £2,500.
What have other countries done?What have other countries done?
Many other countries have already reopened restaurants, bars and cafes around the world. In some cases they have had the use of lower social distancing recommendations - in France, for example, the recommended distance between customer and staff is 1m.Many other countries have already reopened restaurants, bars and cafes around the world. In some cases they have had the use of lower social distancing recommendations - in France, for example, the recommended distance between customer and staff is 1m.