From Saturday 4 July 2020, businesses like pubs and restaurants began to reopen, providing they meet the government’s criteria for keeping their staff and customers safe.
The government has provided COVID-19 secure guidance for the hospitality sector and licensed premises and some of these measures include:
- requiring use of table service where possible instead of ordering at the bar and assigning a single staff member per table
- encouraging use of contactless ordering from tables where available, such as through an app
- encouraging customers to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the venue
Important points to note:
Premises that wish to sell alcohol as part of a takeaway service or for consumption off the premises must ensure that the licence covers off sales as part of the licensable activity and must ensure robust age verification measures are put in place to prevent alcohol being provided to minors.
Seating cannot be made available (and this can include areas not under the control of the premises) and this is not restricted to seating within the premises such as beer gardens and adjoining smoking areas, but would include areas adjacent to the premises which also might include public benches.
Adequate social distancing measures should be put in place to protect staff and customers wishing to purchase or collect food or drink from your premises. Consider accepting only contactless payments and consider relevant government guidance.
All businesses should familiarise themselves with the government guidance that applies to their industry.