So, how are we all feeling about July 19 and the great ‘opening up’? Confused? Not surprising, really.
This, we were told, was going to be ‘Freedom Day’ when the gloves (and masks) would finally come off and the remaining restrictions on social movement and interaction would be cast aside “irrevocably”.
But, as the Government has discovered on more than one occasion, coronaviruses can’t read and they don’t take much notice of diktats. The Government rowed back on that ‘no rules’ position but their approach has left hospitality owners and professionals to make all the decisions.
Instead of giving clear messages and laying out compulsory behaviours, those in charge of the country have “encouraged” pubs bars and nightclubs to use Covid status certification as a means of permitting entry.
We at Complete Licensing are as excited as anyone at the lifting of restrictions, and we’re here to offer help with queries and issues arising from this or any other licensing matter.
Which means that all those excited, even desperate, nightclubbers jostling and cheering outside thousands of reopened venues should be asked for proof of double-jabbing, a negative test result or natural immunity after recovering from Covid-19.
It’s not going to improve the mood, and it will force any responsible proprietor or host to take on extra security staff because you can bet the clubbing public won’t want to wait a second longer than necessary to get on with what they’ve been missing for well over a year.
Oh, and the Health Secretary Sajid Javid said face coverings, whilst no longer a legal requirement, would be “expected and recommended” in crowded indoor spaces. Looking forward to hearing how that one goes.
Grumpy negativity aside, July 19 is a massively important step forward for the hospitality sector. We know waves of revellers will be crowding into clubs and that’s a great thing – for all the people who’ve missed out of social interaction and all the proprietors and staff who just want to get back to their regular working lives.
We at Complete Licensing are as excited as anyone at the lifting of restrictions, and we’re here to offer help with queries and issues arising from this or any other licensing matter. It’s important not to forget the basics while concentrating on Covid-related rules.
We may see another hospitality lockdown if the Government has got this wrong but, in the meantime, staff in clubs and bars across England will be making the most of some summer fun.