June 24, 2020 2.11 pm This story is over 45 months old

No ID? No booze or chop in new rules for lockdown reopening

Age checks replaced by COVID-19 checks
Photo: Adobe Stock
By Local Democracy Reporter

Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will need to check all customers’ ID and keeping their contact details on record for at least 21 days as part of the lockdown reopening process.

This is to assist the NHS Test and Trace with requests, in an attempt to prevent a second wave of coronavirus, and make anyone who may have contracted the virus easier to be notified by contact tracers.

The ID checks will be one of a number of measures being recommended to be put in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Anyone attending pubs is being asked to only go with people in their support bubbles or a maximum of six people, but still observing social distancing within groups.

The 2m social distancing has been relaxed to 1m+ where mitigations have been put in place such as screens, chairs not facing chairs on adjoining tables, which has allowed of many more establishments to reopen.

Indoors customers will no longer be able to stand at the bar as all customers indoors must be seated.

Any live performances, including music and comedy, will not be allowed in pubs or bars until further notice. Football being screened in pubs also cannot take place and any music must be at a level that does not make normal conversation difficult. 

Owners are being encouraged to keep staff numbers down to a minimum initially, and table service is being advised.

Also, here is a list of the pubs reopening in Lincoln on July 4, and what barbers and salons said about reopening too.

Michael Kheng from Kurnia Licensing Consultants welcomed the planned opening of the hospitality sector, as most will have been closed for over three months by July 4.

He said: “Operators, as well as customers, need to be responsible to prevent a second wave.

“We still await any amendment to the COVID regulations but at least the industry now has some guidance.”

Michael urged all business to follow the guidance the best they can, or they could be liable if found to be putting the public at risk.