In July, hospitality sector agreed the tightest COVID secure protocols in the world to allow reopening. Mitigating measures proposed in them address all SAGE risk factors - close, face to face contact in crowded loud poorly ventilated places - so here is what we did ..
Firstly, we reduced our occupancy and capacity to ensure social distancing at all times. Secondly, we made it all seated, with consumption only at table. Thirdly, we moved to side by side or back to back seating and 2m for face to face - plus face masks for staff & customers
Fourthly, we put in place staff to enforce one way controls, ensure seating and maintain social distancing. Those measures mean you cannot be in close face to face proximity with strangers for any prolonged period of time. Only people you are close to are the group you are with
And the result - A YouGov poll found consumers rated hospitality the easiest place for them to socially distance and retail and public transport the hardest. The same poll found 75% of customers cited seating, spacing, staff management and hygiene as making them feel safe
The second main concern SAGE raised was around noisy, crowded spaces. These have not been permitted by law in hospitality since we reopened 4 July. Capacity constraints and social distancing are accompanied by restrictions on music, a ban on singing, dancing, entertainment
Finally, the very best measure to eliminate risks in indoor settings is good ventilation. Far from being poorly ventilated, hospitality venues have been required to meet - and in many cases they exceed - the ventilation standards set out by SAGE to mean they are a very low risk
Not all premises will have full ventilation and not all will meet the highest standards, but it should be possible to audit, certify and allow those who do to open safely to help alleviate pressure on retail and households, and incentivise take up of cheap temp solns.
The steps hospitality has already taken to mitigate the risks identified by SAGE could see more of the economy opened up with fewer restrictions, allowing us to save businesses and jobs, help to deliver economic growth and recovery
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