Pub calls time on under-21s in bid to stem Covid spread
BOSSES CONCERNED AT RISE IN CASES AND HIGHER RATES FOR PEOPLE AGED 16 TO 24
A PUB in Loughborough town centre has taken the decision to ban under21s over concerns at the rise in coronavirus infection rates in the area.
The White Hart, in Church Gate, will now only serve customers who can prove that they are over the age of 21.
It follows an increase in infection rates in Loughborough and Charnwood borough at large.
Evidence suggests the spike in figures across the district is down to younger people, aged 16 to 24, including students, spreading the virus.
The pub’s management took to social media on Thursday to issue a statement announcing the move.
It said: “We are becoming increasingly more concerned with the rise in coronavirus cases in the Loughborough and Charnwood area.
“As part of our due diligence toward protecting both our employees and our customers, we continually revisit our risk assessment of how we operate and control the spread of Covid-19 where possible.
“Following a consultation with all of our staff this week, we have made the unanimous decision to limit admittance to customers over the age of 21 only.”
Data published by Leicestershire County Council shows that, for the week ending Friday, October 10, every district in the county now has rates of more than 100 cases for every 100,000 people. The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories and in the wider community.
The most recent data available shows October 11 to 15 has been excluded from the official statistics as “incomplete” and does not reflect the true number of cases. Charnwood’s infection rate is 154.4 cases per 100,000 people – above the national average of 150.1 per 100,000 and second only to Oadby and Wigston among local authority areas in the county (178.8 cases per 100,000). The figures reveal that higher infection rates are now being seen in young people aged 16 to 24, an age group that would include most students at Loughborough University and other higher education establishments in the town.
The White Hart said it wasn’t an easy decision to ban under21s, but was a necessary one.
Its statement said: “There are many other pubs and bars in Loughborough that are specifically catering for this age group.
“This hasn’t been an easy one, and it’s one we think may prove unpopular with some of you. However, we do feel that it’s necessary at this time.” Under-18s who are accompanied by a parent, guardian or family member will be allowed in as long as they are booked in for food.
The move has led to criticism from some quarters and support from others. One person wrote on Facebook: “Discrimination at its finest.” Another commented: “What a tough decision to make, I hope it goes well.”
we have made the unanimous decision to limit admittance to customers over the age of 21 only Management
THE government has produced a new “heat map” that allows people to find out what the latest coronavirus infection rates and cases numbers are where they live.
The Department of Health and Social Care has unveiled the postcode searchable map as the second wave of Covid-19 spreads across the county and more areas fall under tighter lockdown restrictions.
The map splits into neighbourhood population areas of roughly 7,000 people and are colour-coded, depending on the particular levels of infection over a recent seven-day period. Infection rates across Leicestershire have been rising in recent weeks, alarming city and county public health bosses.
Charnwood remains in the first tier of risk - medium - along with the rest of the county except for Oadby and Wigston which are in the high-risk tier and has extra restrictions on social mixing along with Leicester.
The map is colour-coded, ranging from white, meaning the information is suppressed, yellow for areas with 0-10 cases per 100,000 people, light green for 10-50 cases, dark green for 50-100 cases, royal blue for 100-200 cases, dark blue for 200-400 cases and burgundy for more than 400 cases.
County public health director Mike Sandys said: “Our drive is no longer around highlighting ‘hot-spots’ – this is now around everyone being extra vigilant.”