Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Drinkers may have to sign up to a register before visiting a pub when they reopen, Matt Hancock has said.
The health secretary said on Sunday the country was “on track” to lift further aspects of the coronavirus lockdown “on or around July 4″.
This could mean the reopening of pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and possibly hairdressers.
Asked by Sky News if people could have to “register” or “sign-up” to a list before visiting a pub, Hancock confirmed he “wouldn’t rule that out”.
“That is the sort thing we are looking at for how to make it safe,” he said.
The health secretary said this would make it easier to then trace the close contacts of anyone who subsequently tested positive for coronavirus.
Hancock also said he would not rule out hairdressers reopening on July 4. “A lot of the country does need a haircut,” he said.
Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement this week on the next stage of easing the lockdown.
The prime minister is under pressure from leaders of the hospitality sector and his own MPs to lessen the two-metre rule, which aims to slow the spread of Covid-19, but places major constraints on businesses.
Rishi Sunak has given the biggest hint yet that the rule will be relaxed in England, saying the government’s review “will make an enormous difference” to businesses.
“I’m very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants, (they) are keen to see if there’s some change that can be made there,” he said yesterday.
Guidance drawn up by the hospitality sector and ministers is understood to encourage pub goers to order drinks using phone apps instead of going to the bar, while current legislation was said to include the powers for patrols.
The Times said it had been leaked the guidance and reported:
– Limits on the number of punters allowed into pubs, where tables would be spaced out and glasses would be collected from tables, while bar tops and door handles would be cleaned at least hourly.
– Restaurants would be required to place strict limits on the number of diners and would be encouraged to stagger reservations.
– Hotel room service would see staff leave trays outside guests’ doors and if they fall ill the customer would be asked to self-isolate in their room, which would be cordoned off for 72 hours after their recovery.
– Gyms and swimming pools would require receptionists use clickers to count numbers going in and booking systems would be put in place to prevent overcrowding.
The UK Hospitality trade body said draft guidance allowed a “degree of flexibility” over menus being discarded after every use and for cutlery only to be brought out with food.