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| McDonald's and Pret 'not included' in new table service rules | McDonald's and Pret 'not included' in new table service rules |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| McDonald's, Pret a Manger and similar restaurants without an alcohol licence will not need to serve customers at tables, the government has confirmed. | McDonald's, Pret a Manger and similar restaurants without an alcohol licence will not need to serve customers at tables, the government has confirmed. |
| On Tuesday new rules governing hospitality were announced. | On Tuesday new rules governing hospitality were announced. |
| They mean pubs and other places with licensed premises must provide table service. | They mean pubs and other places with licensed premises must provide table service. |
| Earlier, confusion was sparked after Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, suggested on Wednesday that all restaurants could need table service. | Earlier, confusion was sparked after Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, suggested on Wednesday that all restaurants could need table service. |
| He told the Today programme: "In all of the restaurants and hospitality you can go in and order from the tables - what you can't do without a mask is just sit around and mill around. | He told the Today programme: "In all of the restaurants and hospitality you can go in and order from the tables - what you can't do without a mask is just sit around and mill around. |
| "My understanding is that you need to be able to order from the tables. But of course the guidance will be very clear." | "My understanding is that you need to be able to order from the tables. But of course the guidance will be very clear." |
| The updated guidelines specified that all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England must have a 22:00 closing time from Thursday. | The updated guidelines specified that all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England must have a 22:00 closing time from Thursday. |
| These measures are designed to slow the spread of coronavirus. | These measures are designed to slow the spread of coronavirus. |
| Cases and hospital admissions in the UK are rising again, which prompted the updated guidance. | Cases and hospital admissions in the UK are rising again, which prompted the updated guidance. |
| Industry group UK Hospitality criticised the government approach, saying restaurants and pubs were having to make changes at short notice. | |
| UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "Our understanding is that quick-service restaurants will be exempt from the new rules, but there is certainly a degree of confusion. | UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "Our understanding is that quick-service restaurants will be exempt from the new rules, but there is certainly a degree of confusion. |
| "The government is clearly struggling to catch up with announcements and policy is changing on a daily basis. | "The government is clearly struggling to catch up with announcements and policy is changing on a daily basis. |
| "Businesses deserve better than this when they are expected to follow new rules at short notice. Particularly when those rules are going to have such an impact." | "Businesses deserve better than this when they are expected to follow new rules at short notice. Particularly when those rules are going to have such an impact." |
| Ms Nicholls added that the previous guidelines were better for pubs and restaurants as they allowed businesses more flexibility in implementing coronavirus measures. | Ms Nicholls added that the previous guidelines were better for pubs and restaurants as they allowed businesses more flexibility in implementing coronavirus measures. |
| "Venues are not identical, even outwardly similar ones, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works. | "Venues are not identical, even outwardly similar ones, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works. |
| "Business owners know what works from them in their venues. They are the best placed to know how to control the flow of customers through their business." | "Business owners know what works from them in their venues. They are the best placed to know how to control the flow of customers through their business." |
| Rule changes | |
| The new rules in England state businesses must take customers' contact details by law, so they can be traced if there is a coronavirus outbreak. | |
| They can be fined up to £10,000 for not doing this, or if they take reservations of more than six, or do not enforce social distancing. | |
| Staff in hospitality venues must now wear masks, as must customers who are not seated at their table to eat or drink. | |
| The penalty for not wearing a mask, or breaking the ''rule of six'' has doubled to £200 for a first offence. | |
| In Wales, pubs, bars and restaurants will also have to close by 22:00 from Thursday, with supermarkets and off-licences not allowed to sell alcohol after that time. | |
| In Scotland, a 22:00 curfew comes in on Friday. | |
| Customers must wear face coverings if they are not seated at a table. |