Under new guidelines, Britons plan for a different kind of BBQ
Dutch bar terraces fill quickly as coronavirus lockdown ends
LONDON/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – People across Britain plan to invite friends and family to barbecues in their gardens with the latest easing of social distancing measures on Monday, but a list of rules will make them a little more awkward than before.
Guests will have to bring their own cutlery and plates to any meals unless hosts have managed not to touch them and while food can be shared, dishes cannot be passed between households without being wiped down first, government guidelines said.
“If you are in someone else’s garden, you must not go inside to help the host carry the food out or to help with the washing up,” said the new rules.
They are part of a relaxation of stringent measures put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus 10 weeks ago. Schools welcomed back some younger pupils on Monday, more shops opened and outside gatherings of up six people from different households were allowed for the first time.
The country has been basking in unusually sunny weather for the past few weeks but when the inevitable British rain returns, the guidance says guests will have to brave it, or leave.
“You should not go indoors unless you need the toilet or are passing through to access the garden,” the rules say.
“If you no longer want to remain outdoors, you should go home. Don’t go into garages, sheds or cabins – these are all indoor areas and where the risk of transmission is higher.”
Meanwhile, terraces throughout the Netherlands filled quickly on Monday as bars and restaurants were allowed to open for the first time in almost three months on a sunny public holiday.
As the number of new coronavirus infections in the country has dropped steadily in recent weeks, restaurants, bars, museums, cinemas and theaters were allowed to open their doors from 1000 GMT on Monday, as long as they follow strict social distancing rules to prevent a new rise in infections.
They are now allowed to receive a maximum of 30 customers at a time, who all have to make reservations in advance and need to be seated at tables with a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between them.
Customers showing symptoms of COVID-19 are supposed to be turned away, while no more than two people from different households are allowed to share a table.
No exact limit is set on the number of people allowed on outdoor terraces, as long as all customers are seated and tables are kept at the required distance.
Schools, restaurants, bars, museums and other public places in the Netherlands had been closed since March 15 in an attempt to limit the coronavirus outbreak.
Secondary schools will also reopen on Tuesday, following the partial opening of elementary schools last month.
Public transport, which had been limited during the lockdown, returned to regular service on Monday with all travelers and staff required to wear face masks.
As of Sunday 46,442 coronavirus infections have been confirmed in the Netherlands, with 5,956 deaths.