For many Brits, having a drink with friends has been one of the most keenly missed activities during lockdown. In Boris Johnson’s most recent outline for the timeline of eased restrictions, one of the key elements is the reopening of outdoor restaurants and pubs on 12th April and indoor seatings from 18th May and unlimited households by 21st June.
A key concern will be how these re-openings can be done safely and when we can expect to get back to our favourite eateries.
Roadmap to Recovery
On February 22nd, the Prime Minister announced the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, with a four-stage plan to reopen the economy. It is the first time we have been given key dates on which to expect the reopening of things like hospitality venues. The hospitality sector has been one of the most heavily impacted industries of the coronavirus pandemic.
Key Dates
From the 29th March, the “rule of six” is reintroduced for socialising outdoors. It may not be a pub or a beer garden, but this does imply that drinks in the park with friends will be legal from the end of March onwards.
One of the key elements in the road to recovery is ventilation. As such, outdoor venues are able to open sooner than indoor venues as they are deemed to be safer. According to the roadmap, pubs, bars and restaurants with outdoor facilities may be able to open from April 12th. The capacity of six people still applies but this can be six people from separate households.
About one month after the reinitiating of open venues, people will be allowed to start mixing indoors. From 18th May, two households or six people from separate households will be allowed to meet indoors in pubs and restaurants.
The roadmap highlights June 21st 2021 as the date for normality to resume. This date is thought to be when all legal restrictions are lifted and social contact can resume as before, including no capacity on group size, both indoors and outdoors.
How Will Restaurants Be Covid-Friendly
Using the outdoors will be key to being covid-friendly and with the use of tents, gazebos, summer weather and heaters, this should allow bars and restaurants to adapt or allow for outside trade, certainly under September or October.
Sanitiser can be placed in the entrance and exit of every location, with hand washing stations also advised or recommended, with portable ones available from Trovex.
Beyond this, the inevitable use of social distanced seating, plastic screen dividers and the importance of staff wearing PPE, masks, gloves and hand sanitiser.