Advice given to pubs to ensure their safety as students return

As Covid cases rise, pubs and cafes urged to stick to rule of six

PUBS in the borough are being reminded of the need to be Covid-secure as students return.

Work is continuing to prepare for the return of university students to Loughborough.

Charnwood Borough Council officers have been visiting town pubs and bars to offer advice and guidance to landlords and managers, many of whom have been working hard to make their venues safer places for customers and staff since reopening in July.

The council has been working with Loughborough University, Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Police, the NHS to manage the safe return of students.

Loughborough College are also involved in the planning as its students have returned to their studies.

Loughborough University and Loughborough College has introduced a range of measures to make sure students are following coronavirus guidance on and off campus.

The government introduced new guidance on September 14 which means people can only visit places such as pubs, cafes and restaurants in groups of six. Larger groups will need to sit at different tables and must not mingle with other tables or groups.

Under the guidance, households or support bubbles larger than six can sit together providing the business has a Covid Risk Assessment and Covid Secure controls in place.

However, with national infection rates on the increase the council is advising pubs, cafes and restaurants to stick to the rule of six if they can. Different households can sit together but not in groups of more than six.

Councillor Jenny Bokor, the council’s lead member for Loughborough, said: “The night-time economy is still getting to grips with the new way of operating and while the return of many students is welcome for many reasons, landlords need to ensure they are complying with all the latest guidance about the safe management and operation of bars and pubs. Just last week new guidance has been issued and it is important we work with local businesses to ensure they understand what is required of them.

“We want everyone to enjoy Loughborough’s night life in a safe and enjoyable way.

“We all have a role to play in reducing the transmission of this virus and the rules are there for a reason – to protect everyone.

“All of us, including students, need to be responsible for not passing this virus on which can be done without showing any symptoms. Please respect social distancing, wash your hands frequently and wear a mask if you can.”

Council environmental health officers have been making visits to pubs to remind landlords of their responsibilities.

Venues are advised to:

Use the NHS test and trace app (due for launch on Sept 24) to comply with contact tracing;

Download a QR code for use with the app via www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster;

Check with customers on booking or arrival who they are with and how many people will be attending. Put up signs to remind customers to only interact with their group;

Ask customers indoors to remain seated. Provide table service where possible and discourage customers from standing at the bar; Keep groups apart. Space out tables, consider using barriers between groups, and manage the number of customers in the venue;

Manage food and drink service safely. Avoid situations where customers need to collect their own food, cutlery and condiments. Avoid contact between staff and guests;

Lower music and other background noise. Prevent shouting, singing and dancing in the venue by making sure music and broadcasts are played at a low volume.

These are the priority actions to make businesses safe during coronavirus.

Businesses that are found to operate in a way that increases the risk of transmission (for example by facilitating indoor gatherings between multiple households) can be restricted by Local Authorities under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020.

More information is available on the Council website. People can also report a business for a Covid-19 related issues.

Please visit: www.charnwood.gov. uk/ coronavirus_ business_ support. The university has published information on the arrangements for the start of the new term. Visit www.lboro. ac.uk