Lockdown exit ‘disappointment’ for pubs
CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE BOSS SAYS THE PAIN WILL GO ON FOR THE TRADE BUT OTHER BUSINESSES WELCOME PM’S ROAD MAP OUT OF RESTRICTIONS
BEER experts have called Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap to lifting lockdown “disappointing” as pubs and restaurants looked set to be one of the last industries to reopen properly.
The Prime Minister yesterday outlined how the UK will slowly move out of its third national lockdown in four stages but revealed that while pubs and restaurants could serve drinks outdoors from April, they will not be able to reopen indoors until May.
Real ale group Camra’s national chairman Nik Antona called the announcement disappointing, claiming that two thirds of pubs could end up staying closed during the outdoor-only trading period, with “many more likely to struggle” without being able to trade at full capacity while the table-serviceonly requirement remains.
He said: “While we understand the Government’s cautious approach, this will nonetheless be a disappointing announcement for the beer and pub industry, which looks set to be the last to be allowed to properly re-open.
“We know that pubs aren’t vectors for transmission, so ministers must publish the full evidence behind applying restrictions on pubs when the likes of non-essential retail will be able to fully open up sooner and without restrictions.
“Whilst scrapping the curfew and substantial meal requirement is welcome, only permitting pubs to operate using outside space at first, and then inside using table service only, isn’t a proper re-opening. Two thirds of pubs could stay closed during the outdoor-only trading period, with many more likely to struggle without being able to trade at full capacity while the table-service-only requirement remains.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to continue financial support is welcome, but as a result of this road map next week’s Budget is more vital than ever. First and foremost, pubs, breweries and the wider supply chain desperately need ongoing financial support, not only for the next few weeks, but for as long as pubs are operating at a reduced trade.
“The Budget must also include an extension to furlough and the business rates holiday, a reduction in VAT for on trade alcohol sales as well as food and cutting duty for beer served in pubs to help them compete with supermarkets.”
However, the announcement was better news for the wider business industry, with Chris Plant, director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, saying the announcement has provided clarity on when key sectors can reopen.
He said: “Businesses desperately need clarity on when key sectors of the economy can reopen. Today’s announcement has gone some way to providing this.
“We welcome the national approach to easing restrictions, avoiding the confusion and lottery of the tiers system.
“Many businesses will also understand the need for an evidenced-backed approached to implementing each stage -– no-one wants to see future lockdowns caused by moving too quickly.
“As these measures come into effect, it is essential that businesses are given clear guidance and sufficient notice of any changes to give them the necessary time to prepare. Businesses cannot open and close at the flick of a switch.
“Support for businesses, particularly those with fewer than 50 employees, in workplace testing and ensuring the UK’S test and trace service is firing on all cylinders will also be critical to ensuring a safe reopening of the economy.
“While a positive step forward, and testament to the impact already seen from covid vaccination rollout, today is also confirmation that we are still many months away from being able to live without covid-19 restrictions.
“It is imperative that the government sets out the support that it will be providing to businesses – particularly those that will be among the last to unlock. We will be continuing to lobby on our members’ behalf and escalate key messages ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget on March 3 through our Back Our Businesses campaign.”
The chamber is hosting a ‘The Roadmap to Recovery: Covid-19’ event on March 10 to help bring businesses up to speed on the proposed stages for re-opening the economy.
Burton MP Kate Griffiths said: “I welcome today’s statement by the Prime Minister on the road map for easing lockdown restrictions in England. This gives us all a greater certainty about what we can expect in the weeks and months to come as we begin to move back towards a more normal life.
“These are incredibly difficult decisions for the Prime Minster to make and it is important that the right balance is struck between a return to seeing our loved ones and to the activities we enjoy but also ensuring that things are not eased too quickly and the virus is able to take hold once again.
“That is why it is right that the Prime Minister is focusing on data, not dates, and that the roadmap sets out the earliest opportunity that things will reopen. I fully support the PM in his ambition to avoid any future lockdowns which is why a cautious approach is the right one to take.” Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said: “I welcome the cautious opening up of Britain after lockdown – but the Prime Minister is right to be cautious. We don’t want to see the return to lockdown again. But provided no wild strain of Covid emerges and the UK’S outstanding vaccine programme carries on apace, we should soon begin to enjoy a relatively normal life again.”
COVID ROADMAP: KEY DATES
Lockdown will lift in four stages with five weeks between each one, starting on March 8, the Prime Minister has said.
Advice to work from home wherever possible is expected to be in place until at least step four – no earlier than June – and the “stay at home” order will remain in place until March 29 – when it will be replaced by advice to “stay local”.
Sporting events and live music will return no earlier than May 17, under the plans.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms could reopen in April if the government’s tests are met in the first phase.
And pubs and restaurants could serve drinks outdoors from April – and reopen indoors from May.
And the Government will launch a series of reviews – including into whether vaccine or negative test passports could – and should – be used domestically to unlock some sectors of the economy.
Further research will include pilot schemes to use testing to reopen larger events such as sport and concerts using rapid Covid-19 tests.
These are the four steps to the end of lockdown:
1
All pupils in all year groups can go back to the classroom from March 8, with outdoor after-school sports and activities also allowed to restart.
Also from this date, people will be permitted to have socially distanced one-to-one meetings with others outdoors in a public space – meaning friends and family members could sit down for a coffee or have a picnic in the park.
Care home residents will be allowed a single visitor, with visitors required to take a lateral flow test and wear personal protective equipment.
In the second part of the first phase, larger groups could be allowed to gather in parks and gardens from March 29 – when the “stay at home” order will end, with messaging moving to “stay local”.
The “rule of six” will return, meaning up to six people or two households will be able to meet outdoors.
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts are also set to reopen at the end of next month, with organised adult and children’s sport – including grassroots football – able to return.
2 At least five weeks after step one and no earlier than April 12, non-essential retail, personal care premises – such as hairdressers and nail salons – libraries and museums will be permitted to reopen.
Indoor gyms and leisure facilities, such as swimming pools, will be permitted to reopen, but the requirements for social contact in indoor settings will continue.
This means people will only be permitted to visit a museum or exercise in a gym alone or with their own household.
Hospitality venues will be permitted to reopen but for outdoor purposes only, meaning restaurants and pubs will only be able to serve customers outside, where the rule of six or two households will apply.
The requirement for a substantial meal and curfews will both be scrapped, but customers will need to be seated when ordering food or drink.
Self-contained accommodation, such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, will also be able to reopen for overnight stays by households only.
Funerals will be able to continue with up to 30 people, while the number of people who can attend wedding receptions and wakes will rise from the current six to 15.
3 In step three, which will be no earlier than May 17 and at least five weeks after the second step, the Government will further ease limits on social contact.
Outdoors, the rule of six and two household requirement will be lifted, although gatherings of more than 30 people in parks and gardens will remain illegal.
Meanwhile, up to six people or a larger group from up to two households will be permitted to meet indoors, but this is subject to review.
Indoor hospitality – inside pubs and restaurants – is set to open up at this point, where the rule of six or two household rule will apply, alongside entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas.
Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues, with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower, will be allowed, while outdoors it will be 4,000 people or half-full, again whichever is lower.
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals, and other life events will be permitted, such as bar mitzvahs and christenings.
4 The last step will be no earlier than June 21 – and at least five weeks after the third step – when it is hoped that all legal limits on social contact will be removed.
It is also hoped that the final closed sectors of the economy, such as nightclubs, could be allowed to reopen, while restrictions on large events could also be eased.