Gap or zap

The thrill of stepping into a tavern after being grounded at home for weeks amid the pandemic can be described as electrifying, at least for one English joint.

As soon as the months-long lockdown was recently lifted in the United Kingdom, many Britons celebrated their newfound freedom with drinking binges in reopened pubs. One popular bar in St. Just, Cornwall in South

West England, however, was not too happy about the turnout of customers because physical distancing was disregarded.

The Star Inn wanted its drinkers to keep their distance from the liquor counter to protect baristas from catching the coronavirus which was still ravaging the country. Staff removed the bar seats, posted safety guidelines on walls and marked the floor with yellow tapes. Transparent plastic curtains were also hung around each table inside the compact bar to serve as virus barrier.

Unfortunately, some customers who had one too many tended to forget about the rules. The bar’s owner, Johnny McFadden, got tired of admonishing those who ordered drinks too close to the bartenders.

McFadden decided to literally give unruly drinkers a pure jolt to remember and obey the policy. He put up an electric fence in front of the bar with a warning signage hanging from the charged wire.

Formerly a farmer, McFadden used electrified fences to keep cattle and other animals out of his property. These barriers kept animals away and, sure enough, it also worked for the Star Inn.

More than enforcing physical distancing in the bar, the electric fence became a sensation when pictures of it were shared on social media.

McFadden admitted that the electric fence is turned off but it still instills fear so customers would keep their distance from the bar. Surprisingly, it was not a turnoff and customers keep coming to the inn with McFadden’s dare for them to check if it is turned on.