Stark warning on ‘dangers of pubs’
A STARK warning of the danger pubs present in spreading coronavirus has been issued by the top scientists advising the Government on the eve of their reopening in England.
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the coronavirus pandemic ‘is a long way from gone’ as he urged the public to follow social-distancing rules when the lockdown is eased today.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, also warned of the danger of ‘superspreading’ of Covid-19 occurring in pubs.
Stood between them at the Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the public to ‘enjoy summer safely’ so the ailing economy can be boosted without causing the virus to spread uncontrollably.
Prof Whitty added: “None of us believe, and I’m sure nobody watching this believes, this is a risk-free next step. It is absolutely not, that is why we have to be really serious about it.
“There’s no doubt these are environments whose principal job it is to bring people together, that’s a great thing to do socially but it’s also a great thing from the virus’s point of view. And therefore we do have to have a really clear and really disciplined approach to try and maintain social distancing whilst also enjoying pubs.”
Prof Whitty added that ‘there is no perfect, exact way’ of easing lockdown as he discussed the balancing act being undertaken, adding: “We are going to have health problems, and economic problems, for sure.”
He applied the pressure on the public and business owners to follow the restrictions, adding that if they ‘do not take them seriously, the possibility of a second wave goes up sharply’.
Meanwhile, documents released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) identified bars in other countries as settings for coronavirus clusters and superspreading events.
The Government scientists suggested pubs, bars and restaurants would be the types of places that close first in the event of subsequent outbreaks.
Mr Johnson said he did not want to return to a national closure of all pubs, preferring to take more targeted measures now, but said he would ‘retain all measures in reserve’.
He said local lockdowns like the one imposed on Leicester would remain a ‘feature of our lives for some time to come’.
The PM was also forced to defend the way in which he has scrapped the 14-day quarantine for arrivals to England from dozens of countries, without the agreement of the devolved nations.
He acknowledged Scotland and Wales ‘have a slightly different take on this’, and added: “I’m sure we will get there together and common sense will apply.”
The UK Government had announced that quarantine restrictions for people arriving in England from destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Germany will be lifted from July 10.