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Halving two metre rule could save one million hospitality jobs

Shuttered Costa store
Shuttered Costa store

As many as one million hotel, pub and restaurant jobs could be saved if the two-metre social distancing limit is halved, industry chiefs have said.

Hospitality bosses welcomed comments from Boris Johnson on Wednesday revealing he has instructed the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) to review the guidelines.

It is feared that a two-metre limit will cripple pubs and restaurants when they are allowed to reopen from July by slashing capacity far below what is profitable.

If the rules were relaxed allowing guests to be one metre apart in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), far more customers could be served and many more outlets could cope.

Speaking to MPs on the Liaison Committee, Mr Johnson said: “My own hope is that as we make progress in getting the virus down, in reducing the incidence, that we will be able to reduce that distance which I think will be particularly valuable on transport and clearly in the hospitality sector."

Pubs and restaurants have repeatedly called for the UK’s two-metre policy to be reduced. Other ocuntries such as Denmark have a one-metre rule and have not reported a spike in new cases after reopening.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said up to one million jobs could be saved if the distance is halved. Ir would allow restaurants and pubs to reopen at between 60 to 70pc of normal revenues compared with 30pc at two metres, she said.

Ms Nicholls said: “It’s very welcome that the Government is alive to the significant challenges that this poses as we reopen the economy and has indicated a willingness to keep the science and the guidelines under review.

“We’d urge the Government to publish the science behind those social distancing restrictions and commit to a timetable of regular review in the same way they have with the other lockdown restrictions going forward."

Business Briefing Newsletter REFERRAL (Article)
Business Briefing Newsletter REFERRAL (Article)

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), said adopting the WHO guidelines could enable 75pc of pubs to reopen from July, in contrast to just a third if the two-metre restriction remains in place.

She warned that two-thirds of pub jobs could be lost if the Government’s social distancing policy is not reduced.

Ms McClarkin said: “Under two-metre social distancing rules, pubs will have less space to operate with so will need less staff.

“Many pubs won’t even be able to reopen, yet they could be expected to cover part of their staff furlough costs from August without any money coming in. Such a situation would mean either pubs closing for good or jobs being lost.”