Hospitality Venues- Preparing for 17 May
We are now approaching Step 3 of the Government’s step-by-step plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions. Step 3, which can take place no earlier than 17 May, is anticipated to allow indoor hospitality to trade again, subject to a review of the data and the four tests. The Government will announce whether restrictions will be eased as planned one week in advance.
Although subject to review, Government have made it clear that, as with outdoor areas, indoor reopening must be carried out in line with COVID-19 secure guidance and legal group size limits, see attached: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery
In preparation for the reopening of indoor hospitality, we would urge you to read the Government guidance above and review your Covid safety measures as detailed in the business COVID-19 risk assessment. You must ensure you are doing everything possible to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. We also take this opportunity to highlight the following COVID-19 safety measures, which are of even greater importance in indoor settings, where the risk of Coronavirus transmission is higher:
Ventilation:
In poorly ventilated rooms the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially if there are lots of infected people in the room. The virus can also remain in the air after an infected person has left. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that contains virus particles reduces the chance of spreading COVID-19. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room.
For further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-ventilation-of-indoor-spaces-to-stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus/ventilation-of-indoor-spaces-to-stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus-covid-19
For simple ways to increase natural and mechanical ventilation in the workplace: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation/index.htm
Weather permitting, and wherever possible, we would urge all businesses to still encourage customers to sit outside.
Seating and Social Distancing:
It is important that customers sit 2 metres away from anyone not in their household/bubble in all directions (measure from person to person as sat in their chairs). If 2 metres is not viable, a space of 1 metre + must be maintained, with as many extra safety controls in place as possible, such as:
• Setting up chairs back to back;
• If this is not possible side to side (least preferred);
• Enhanced ventilation;
• Screens between people.
In areas where people sit back to back, with less than a metre between them (such as fixed booth seating) there must be a solid screen to separate them that would reach above the heads of the majority of customers.
You may find it helpful to put up the attached poster for staff and customers to help demonstrate why tables and chairs may be arranged in a certain way or why they cannot sit in a certain place. https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/covid-safe-layout-customer-seating
Face Coverings – Staff and Customers:
All staff of venues that provide food and drink must wear face coverings in indoor areas that are open to the public and where they come or are likely to come within close contact of a member of the public, unless they have an exemption. If businesses have taken steps to create a physical barrier or screen between workers and members of the public then staff behind the barrier or screen will not be required to wear a face covering.
All businesses must remind customers and staff to wear a face covering where required (for example, by displaying posters or providing verbal reminders).
You must undertake a separate risk assessment for staff members who are exempted from wearing face coverings. We would also urge businesses to ask staff with exemptions to wear the sunflower lanyard and a visor (NB: visors cannot be worn instead of a face covering, unless the person has an exemption).
NHS Test and Trace- Customer Data Collection:
You are required by law to help the NHS ‘Test and Trace’ system to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the virus. You must:
• Register for an official NHS QR code and display the official NHS QR poster, so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’. https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster
• Have an alternative method of collecting customer data that does not require the use of a Smart phone. Ensure customers cannot see each other’s information.
• Ask that every customer register or provide their name and contact details (under 16 not required).
• Keep a record of all staff working on their premises and shift times on a given day and their contact details.
• Keep these records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and provide data to NHS Test and Trace if requested.
• Adhere to General Data Protection Regulations by keeping only the information required, storing it safely so no one else can see it and destroying it after 21 days. A suitable method would be to:
a) write customers name and contact details on a sheet with the time and date they visited
b) Place this into a lockable box
Hospitality venues must refuse entry to those who refuse to participate
COVID Safety Spot Checks:
COVID Information Officers (CIO) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are continuing to carry out COVID safety spot checks across the city to help businesses to keep their customers and staff safe. However, please be aware that action may be taken where we have public health concerns as a result of continuing inadequate control measures. Such action could include providing advice, serving notices and prosecution.
With the hope of restrictions being lifted around the country it is now more important than ever that we need your support and the support of those employed at your establishment/s to continue to stay alert and operate your business following government guidance.
Making your establishment COVID-19 secure will make both your clientele and staff feel safer, will reduce the risk of intervention from the Local Authority/HSE, and will help the country meet the targets set out in the ‘road map’.
For the most up to date government information on reopening businesses and venues see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reopening-businesses-and-venues-in-england/reopening-businesses-and-venues
Please be aware that guidance is subject to regular Government updates and so frequent review is advised.
If you require further guidance on your businesses COVID Risk Assessment see: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/risk-assessment.htm