MAKE IT A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Call for revellers to show respect and be responsible as pubs open for their first weekend since March
FRIDAY and Saturday nights out are back for Swansea this weekend – but they will be very different to how you remember them.
And city leaders have united to ask those venturing out to keep a lid on high spirits, enjoy themselves responsibly and maintain Covid rules. ■
FRIDAY and Saturday nights out are back for Swansea this weekend – but very different to how you remember them.
The limited reopening of cafes, restaurants and bars began on Monday following a relaxation of Welsh Government pandemic restrictions.
However, there are big differences to pre-lockdown and these apply to this weekend.
They include:
■ Only a small number of hospitality venues are open in and around Swansea
■ Eating and drinking is only allowed outdoors in pavement cafes or on land that’s part of the business
■ Two metres social distancing applies to help stop the spread of coronavirus
■ Premises are taking customer contact details to help with the Welsh Government Test, Trace, Protect process
■ Customers are being asked to plan ahead – including travel arrangements
Customers are being urged to be responsible in the city centre and elsewhere, booking tables in advance if this service is offered, respecting others including staff, drinking responsibly and not gathering in groups.
Swansea Council, Swansea Business Improvement District (Bid), South Wales Police, businesses and others are working together on the phased reopening of the hospitality sector in line with guidelines.
Bid continue to advise businesses on regulations and guidance. They have also offered businesses track and trace app EVEPASS that makes it easy for customers to sign in.
The night-time Help Point, which is funded by the office of the police and crime commissioner, Swansea Bay University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust, is open in The Strand on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those in need of assistance.
A small number of the area’s hospitality businesses are open and more will follow in subsequent weeks. This will happen across the area.
There are arrangements for queuing systems - and signs around the city centre remind people of the two-metre rule.
Police and council officers will be out and about on the city centre streets this weekend helping to keep people safe.
They want to ensure everything goes smoothly and that people stay safe as was the case when the hospitality sector partially reopened on Monday.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “I thank those who have started visiting hospitality businesses in a considerate manner – I hope the same responsible approach will be seen this weekend.
“It’s crucial to continue social distancing and to respect all others including those keeping you safe and serving you. We want people to feel safe and welcome as they return to hospitality businesses right across the area.
“Our Enjoy Swansea Responsibly campaign asks everybody to be responsible by observing the two metre rule when out and about, staying home if unwell and washing or sanitising hands as frequently as possible. This way we will all be doing what we can to make sure that we keep each other safe”.
South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael said: “As pubs and clubs reopen throughout the Swansea area, our message of Drink Less, Enjoy More is as relevant today as it has ever been but the consequences of getting drunk and being irresponsible are even more serious now.
“We must all play our part by following the rules especially on distancing and respecting each other, respecting bar and restaurant staff, respecting the emergency services who will be working to keep you safe and respecting our local environment.”
Russell Greenslade, chief executive of Swansea Bid, said: “Bid area businesses have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the careful reopening of the city centre. We have been supporting them, with PPE packs, safety advice and guidance. We know they are keen to get back to doing what they do best, and consumers want to return to normality. This is a crucial chapter and it is important that we all play our part to ensure things run smoothly.”