What can’t stay open
So far, the list of sites dealing with alcohol that must close includes:
- Restaurants
- Pubs
- Wine bars and other drinking establishments
- Cafés
- Nightclubs
- Hotels
- Hotel bars
- Members’ clubs
A statement on the government’s website explains: “These premises and other venues must close as they involve prolonged close social contact, which increases the chances of infection spreading.”
However, there are some exceptions.
Restaurants, bars and cafés can, and should, continue to offer takeaway services. This means customers can either have food delivered, or collect food and drinks from the restaurant itself, as long as their order is consumed off-premise.
Hotels can stay open for people living in them as “interim abodes whilst their primary residence is unavailable they may continue to do so.”
Anyone who is considered a key worker, permanent hotel residents, and non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence during the three week lockdown can also continue to stay in hotels where required.
People who are unable to move into a new home due to the current restrictions can also stay at hotels.
Hotels, hostels, and B&Bs can also provide 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.”
Hotels are also allowed to host blood donation sessions.`
Both outdoor and indoor markets have also been asked to close, unless they provide “essential” goods, such as food.
Shopping centres should only stay open if they contain units “which are not required to close”, according to the government’s website.
We will continue to update this story if and when the government’s guidelines change.
