Updated guidance on physical distancing measures has been updated and was confirmed yesterday, says The Scottish Licensed Trade Association. This guidance includes information on calculating physical distancing capacity in public settings.
Some of the new elements of this guidance are effective from 17 May 2021, but operators should read the guidance and take the appropriate steps as soon as possible.
Information on the updated guidance can be found here.
-Insurance giant urges motorists to think twice before getting behind the wheel-
Clare Egan, Head of Motor Product at Admiral, said: “As beer gardens re-open across Scotland, we risk seeing a rise in the number of people tempted to get behind the wheel after a drink, putting other road users, pedestrians, and themselves in danger.
“It’s vital to understand the implications of taking this risk and we’d urge all motorists to think twice before getting in their car to drive after having an alcoholic drink.
“Being caught over the limit can see a driver face up to 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban of at least one year, not to mention the potential life-changing impact it can have if it leads to a crash.
“Those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol could find their insurance premiums increasing by more than 250% – that’s if they can get insurance at all. But the financial penalties don’t stop there, if you do have an accident while drink-driving many insurers will refuse to cover the cost of damages, meaning drivers could be left with hefty sums to pay including the cost of third-party claims.
“There are many different factors that could impact your ability to drive safely. Weight, age and metabolism all play a part in alcohol tolerance, meaning it is virtually impossible to know if you are safe to drive. Even the smallest amount of alcohol will affect how you drive, so the only way to be really safe is to avoid drinking altogether when you know you are taking the car.
“As the UK slowly eases out of this lockdown, many people will be looking to enjoy the relaxing of some of these restrictions. Make sure you consider another way to get to and from the pub safely, and whatever you do, don’t be tempted to drive.”
After being kept out of venues, clubs, bars and restaurants for the best part of a year, Brits are being offered an etiquette guide to keep in mind when out and about this summer.
The team at Groubook have put together top tips on how to navigate social events once the hospitality sector reopens to the public.
Physical distance, hand sanitiser and masks are likely to still be common practice until the whole country has been vaccinated. The pandemic has changed our social behaviour and whilst the idea of dancing in a field at a festival or in a club with mates seems miles away, there is definite hope ahead.
Drinkers in bars and diners in restaurants will still be expected to keep to social distance measures and a few friends may not feel comfortable socialising for a while, so it is essential to be mindful in the months ahead.
Founder of Groubook, Bradley Gough said: “As we start to look forward to sunny days spent in beer gardens and nights out with our friends, it is important to be conscious of how alien the first few trips out might feel.
“The measures we saw during the tier system over the summer felt super awkward and at times impolite, but everyone is in the same boat, figuring out pandemic protocols as they go.
“Some people will be rearing for a night on the town, whilst others will be more cautious. The social etiquette guide is a reminder to people as the world starts opening up again.”
Post-lockdown etiquette
1. Distance
Physical distancing is likely to stick around for some time and whilst most people will be used to it, it is easy to forget when out and about enjoying quality time with family and friends. As the public head back into venues, be considerate of any distancing guides that have been put in place, whether it’s capacity restrictions, marked areas to form a queue in, sit down at or for directing the flow of traffic.
2. Cover your mouth
Covering a cough or sneeze is common practice and basic manners, but when living in a post-lockdown society the public has new etiquette to consider. When we inevitably get back inside boozers, it will be a good idea to get everyone to cover up their mouth when singing, or shouting in the direction of others.
3. Be kind
A lot of people working in the hospitality sector have only been in to do a couple of shifts over the last year, meaning they might be a little out of practice and may need more patience than usual. The pandemic has also taught us that no one truly knows what strangers are going through privately. Hopefully being stuck in the house for such long periods has made everyone check their manners, but in case it hasn’t… he is a reminder!
4. Greetings
Everyone is desperate for that first hug with a family member or a high five with a friend, but the etiquette on greetings has obviously shifted. Experts are predicting that the traditional ritual of a clink of glasses, over dinnertime with people outside of our household, will become popular again post-pandemic. However, for the foreseeable small party-goers and pub drinkers will have to settle for cheery waves, mini dances and elbow bumps.
5. Protection
Whilst it’s not the usual night out protection most people have in mind, the regular use of hand sanitiser is likely to stick around long after the pandemic, so it will always be sensible to have some on you. The same can be said for mask-wearing, which is likely to stick around for those not seated and moving through venues. The biggest complaints around masks are not being able to see facial cues and voices becoming muffled, so get used to using eyes to portray a smile, hand gestures to compensate for facial expressions and talk up when in louder spaces.
6. Be prepared
Sharing pretty much anything on a night out is a thing of the past, so it is best to be prepared. Pack the essentials, because sharing a lip balm in the loos or grabbing a mate’s gum will be pretty socially unacceptable. Bring plenty of layers so coats don’t have to be shared if it’s cold, or when people are sneaking out to a smoking area.
7. Be understanding
When making plans in a post-lockdown climate it might be tricky to fully firm plans up, especially with friends or family members that have been shielding. Is so important that each party feels as comfortable and safe as possible. Certain demographics are known to be at a higher risk regarding COVID, and there is often no way of telling this unless they disclose it. Be understanding and accepting of people who may hesitate to join you in activities that may put their health at risk.
8. Book in advance
When the day finally does come, and restaurants and bars reopen, they will be trying to gauge how busy they will be and how much stock they will need. A great way to alleviate the pressure on staff and avoid long waits is to tell a venue the plan way in advance. Take advantage of online booking systems and apps like Groubook, which lets groups of friends, families or colleagues book and arrange their nights in one place, while taking advantage of discounts and rewards.
The team at Groubook believe the app will give independent bars and restaurants a head start when they’re finally able to open for business and help them recoup some of the losses from the pandemic.
The app was launched in Nottingham in August 2020, as restrictions began to ease and saw rapid initial take-up with numbers growing by 250% in the first six weeks.
Disabled people and young families risk being inconvenienced by outdoor restaurants as businesses start to take to the footway, says Living Streets Scotland.
Planning law allows for the temporary use of land for up to 28 days without the need to make an application for planning permission, which means an Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs is unlikely to be undertaken. Such an assessment helps to understand and mitigate impacts on people with disabilities.
Penny Morriss, Project Manager, Living Streets Scotland said: “Al fresco dining has the potential to bring our streets to life, creating vibr ant spaces where people want to spend time. However, it must not come at the expense of pedestrians.
“Many of our footways are already too narrow for everyone to be able to practise physical distancing and for people with wheelchairs, buggies or those living with sight loss to manoeuvre safely.
“Town and cities across the Scotland have been investing in trials to create more space for people walking, including widening pavements and closing certain streets to traffic. We should not undo all this great work and investment by crowding pavements with tables and chairs at the expense of the people who need to use them.
“Equality Impact Assessments are incredibly important to ensure the needs of disabled people are considered and recommended in Scottish Government guidance as part of the response to COVID 19. Footways should only be an option where there is at least two metres of space once the furniture and customers are accounted for. Car parks, terraces and parking spaces are great alternatives for temporary beer gardens and eating spaces.”
The announcement by the First Minister that outdoor areas in Scotland’s pubs and bars are to remain closed was met with shock and dismay by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.
SLTA Managing Director, Colin Wilkinson said: “The First Minister’s announcement today is a bitter blow for Scotland’s Hospitality Sector, which expected to be able to now kick-start the rebuilding of the industry.
“With the decision now delayed until the 2nd of July, operators face another anxious period for the survival of their businesses. This may also have a knock-on effect for the re-opening of indoor areas, originally planned, all being well, for the 15th of July.
“This delay, hypothetically only 2 weeks before full reopening may be possible, with social distancing measures in place, again brings into question whether these first steps, for those who have an outdoor area or the potential to have one, will actually help businesses to start recovering from this pandemic.
“With Government guidelines due to be published soon, hospitality businesses will have very little lead-in time to prepare for complying with guidance for outdoor areas, and that alone causes problems, especially on social distancing parameters, which look like remaining at 2m, and toilet provision for customers seated outdoors.
“Research shows that unless the 2m social distancing parameters are reduced, the potential reductions in capacity could be as high as 87%.
”Without question, health and safety must come before profit, but the First Minister’s comment that ‘there is emerging evidence that places such as pubs, restaurants and gyms can be hotspots for transmission” will do nothing to alleviate customer confidence in returning to our pubs and bars.
“Already a recent survey to gauge how people feel about life post-lock down, revealed that 62% of people were unlikely to return to bars and restaurants for some time yet. The challenge of rebuilding our industry just got harder.
“The need for ongoing support for the industry is now even greater with the announcement that outdoor areas will remain closed for at least another two weeks.
“Ongoing and increased support for the months ahead is essential and when the industry does start to rebuild, Governments, both north and south of the border, must not see this as a marker to further reduce support for the industry.”
A survey of 22,000 pub goers and beer drinkers across the UK polled by the consumer organisation CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has found that two thirds of people are confident to get back down the pub when their local re-open.
The survey found that 65% had confidence in going back to pubs, with only 4% saying they were ‘extremely unconfident’ about returning to their local.
The news comes as the UK Government confirmed that pubs are likely to start re-opening from 4th July and the Scottish Government stating that pubs north of the border can begin to re-open from 15th July.
CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: “We know that during lockdown people have really missed going to their local to enjoy a pint with family and friends.
“It’s really encouraging hat our survey shows most people are confident that they can safely return to pubs, whether that’s outside in beer gardens or inside following social distancing measures.
“As pubs re-open in the next few weeks in England and then in Scotland it is essential, they get support from local communities – especially as many will face reduced trade as a result of social distancing.
“For people who can’t get to their local, because they’re shielding, and for those pubs that can’t re-open, because they are smaller or because their space isn’t suitable, CAMRA will continue to support those pubs offering take-away and delivery services while things get back to normal.
“Over the next few weeks, I’d like to encourage everyone to play their part in helping pubs get back on their feet either by supporting them in person or from your own home. Now, more than ever, we need to use our pubs or else risk losing them forever.”
CAMRA’s beer ordering app ‘Brew2You’ to allows people to order take-aways and deliveries from pubs in their area, whilst the ‘Pulling Together’ campaign page at www.camra.org.uk/pullingtogether lists services from pubs, breweries and cider producers across the country.
