First signs of when hospitality, leisure and gambling premises may be permitted to re-open

The UK Government has today (11 May 2020) published its COVID-19 recovery strategy entitled “Our Plan to Rebuild” that you can download below.

Of most relevance to the hospitality, leisure and gambling sectors are the following passages from that part of the recovery strategy dealing with “Step 3”, that is not due to commence before 4 July 2020 at the earliest:

The ambition at this step is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas) ……. Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part. Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.”

Announcing that it will be publishing a set of protocols intended to support the safe re-opening of hospitality venues, UKHospitality has stated as follows on its website:

UKHospitality is set to publish a series of protocols aimed at supporting the safe reopening of hospitality venues

The trade body has been working with members and others to draw up protocols tailored to individual sub-sectors, covering; accommodation, coffee shops, food service management, holiday parks, late night, pubs, quick-service restaurants and visitor attractions.

The protocols will be shared with sector stakeholders – including employees’ organisations and to other trade associations, for further development. The suite of documents will provide guidance for businesses to devise their own bespoke plans tailored to individual sites, emphasising safe reopening. They are not intended as a substitute for individual plans which should still be produced by businesses but it is hoped that they will inform the Government’s own plans for hospitality re-openings.

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

“The non-negotiable principal when it comes to reopening is that the safety of our staff and our customers is paramount. When the time is right for businesses to reopen safely, it is essential that clear and helpful protocols are in place to help them get back up and running as safely as possible, in line with Government guidelines. The size and diversity of the hospitality sector means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reopening. Across our industry there are many sub-sectors and widely different businesses models. The practical challenges in reopening faced by a pub or a bar will be different from those faced by a holiday park, for instance. Even within the same sector, there is bound to be a huge difference in the size, shape, location and layout of outwardly similar businesses. We have been working hard with our members and alongside other industry bodies to provide practical and effective protocols which will enable businesses to begin to reopen safely when the time is right. The protocols do not provide bespoke plans for individual businesses to operate under social distancing guidelines; these will have to be devised by businesses on a site-by-site basis. But the protocols help businesses draw up those plans and ensure that safety is at the forefront of operations when the time comes to reopen.”

UPDATE: Consequential changes to the closure restrictions are set out below.

CHANGES TO CLOSED BUSINESSES AND VENUES FROM 13 MAY 2020

Sector Required to close Exceptions From 13 May
Food and drink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants and public houses, wine bars or other food and drink establishments including within hotels and members’ clubs –        Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. This can be a new activity supported by the new permitted development rights in England. This covers the provision of hot or cold food that has been prepared for consumers for collection or delivery to be consumed, reheated or cooked by consumers off the premises.

–        Room service in hotels and accommodation.

Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 – engagement through taskforce on Pubs and Restaurants

Cafés and canteens –        Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational (and as above). Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Pubs and Restaurants

 

–        Cafés and canteens at hospitals, police and fire services’ places of work, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless may remain open.
–        Where there are no practical alternatives, other workplace canteens can remain open to provide food for their staff. For example, this could include canteens at police or fire services’ places of work.
–        However, where possible, the government advises that staff should be encouraged to bring their own food, and distributors can move to takeaway. Employers are encouraged to take measures to minimise the number of people in the canteen, for example by using a rota.
Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 – engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

All retail with notable exceptions –        Supermarkets and other food shops Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines – engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

–        Medical services (e.g. dental surgeries)
–        Pharmacies and chemists
–        Petrol stations
–        Bicycle shops
–        Hardware shops and equipment, plant and tool hire
–        Garden centres (from 13 May)
–        Veterinary surgeries and pet shops
–        Agricultural supplies shops
–        Corner shops and newsagents
–        Off-licences and licensed shops selling alcohol
–        Laundrettes and dry cleaners
–        Post offices
–        High street banks, credit unions and cash points
–        Shopping centres may stay open but only units of the types listed above may trade
Outdoor and indoor markets –        Livestock markets and stalls selling food Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines – engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Auction houses –        Livestock auctions Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 2, workplaces should meet Covid-19 guidelines – engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Accommodation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses for commercial use –        Where people live in these as interim abodes whilst their primary residence is unavailable, or they live in them in permanently they may continue to do so. Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

 

 

 

–        Critical workers and non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence during this period can continue to stay in hotels or similar where required.
–        Hotels and other accommodation listed can be provided to any person who is unable to return to their main residence, and to non-UK residents unable to travel.
–        People who are unable to move into a new home due to the current restrictions can also stay at hotels.
–        Where hotels, hostels, and B&Bs are providing rooms to support homeless and other vulnerable people such as those who cannot safely stay in their home, through arrangements with local authorities and other public bodies, they may remain open.
–        Those attending a funeral will be able to use hotels when returning home would be impractical.
–        Hotels and other accommodation listed are allowed to host blood donation sessions.
Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses –        Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so. Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

–        Caravan parks also have the same exemptions as hotels and other forms of accommodation listed above.
Non- residential institutions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Libraries –        Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically, by telephone or by post (for example no-contact Home Library Services) may continue. Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Community centres, youth centres and similar –        Community centres can open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions. Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Places of Worship

–        A community centre can open temporarily to host a blood donation session for these services only. Public Health England guidelines should be followed, maintaining a distance of two metres.
Places of worship –        Funerals may be held, but it is advised that they be conducted in line with guidance from Public Health England. Remain closed apart from exceptions

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 – engagement through taskforce on Places of Worship

 

 

–        Burial grounds and cemeteries can remain open. Grounds surrounding crematoria may also remain open, including gardens of remembrance.
–        Providers of funeral services, such as funeral directors and funeral homes, may remain open.
–        A minister of religion or worship leader may leave their home to travel to their place of worship. A place of worship may broadcast an act of worship, whether over the internet or otherwise.
–        A place of worship can remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services, and blood donation sessions.
Assembly and leisure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Museums and galleries Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Nightclubs Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Cinemas, theatres and concert halls Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Spas and massage parlours Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3 – engagement through taskforce on Non-essential Retail including Salons

 

Skating rinks Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres –        Any suitable assembly or leisure premises may open for blood donation sessions. Remain closed apart from exception

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

 

Arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Funfairs Remain closed

 

Will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure

Outdoor recreation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playgrounds, sports courts and pitches, and outdoor gyms or similar –        Parks can remain open. See further government guidance on access to green spaces. Reopen outdoor sports courts from 13 May

 

Outdoor gyms, playgrounds and indoor facilities will remain closed

 

Further easing of restrictions will be considered as part of Step 3- engagement through taskforce on Recreation and leisure