Do I have to wear a face mask in pubs? The new rules for bars and restaurants
On September 24 the latest rules relating to Covid-19 came into force in response to a surge in cases in recent weeks. Two days before, the Prime Minister had announced that a 10pm curfew, track and trace facilities, and table service are all now mandatory across the hospitality sector.
Additionally, customers must now wear face masks in pubs, restaurants, cafés and bars whenever they are not sitting at their table, and front-of-house staff must wear them too – previously, this was merely guidance. For chefs, it is still discretionary.
The new rule on face coverings is designed to prevent the spread of the virus. According to the Government, they are “largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection”.
Thus, whenever a customer at a pub or restaurant is not seated at their table – for example when walking to their table upon entry, or using the bathroom – a mask must be worn. According to its new rules, this applies only to indoor settings.
When pubs reopened in July, Government guidelines were announced but businesses weren’t legally required to comply with them all. These included removing tables to ensure social distancing and avoiding bar service. Now, the police have powers to enforce the new rules.
Customers refusing to comply can be fined £200, doubling on each offence to a maximum of £6,400. This in itself is twice the previous fine of £100 (maximum £3,200).
While most in the pub industry greeted the introduction of a curfew with anger, the imposition of mask-wearing has been received with incredulity. “It seems questionable asking people to wear face masks [when standing] yet not at the table," says Greg Mulholland, campaign director for the Campaign for Pubs. He fears that "the need to have a face mask will put people off going to pubs, which could see levels of trade drop even further.”
There is also concern that policing the rules will be tough, and some pub operators have pleaded with their customers to be understanding. “Be nice everyone," implored Ade Clarke of the Lamb in north London on Twitter, "we really, really don’t want to have to do table service, register drinkers, be card-only or police the wearing of masks, because it isn’t us at all. For a while at least we simply will have to do this. Thank you for understanding.”
The introduction of mask wearing inside pubs and restaurants comes after a stark warning from the Prime Minister. "Your harmless cough can be someone else’s death knell,” he said during the announcement. “These measures will only work if people comply and there is nothing more frustrating for the law-abiding majority than the sight of a few brazenly defying the rules.”
According to Graham Pound, who runs the Seven Stars in Rugby, the first day passed without much complaint.
“There weren’t too many problems,” Pound says. “The staff were all fine with it. The only issue was trying to explain that walking 10ft to your table requires a mask."
He has noticed, however, a difference in reactions among his customers.
"It was mainly older customers who had issues with it. It was the ‘back to the dark ages’ statements, and ‘what’s the point, I’m only walking to there’.” Pound says customers between the ages of 20 and 50 “had no problems at all.”
In London, Clarke had a similar experience. He was “pleasantly surprised. Everyone was really good last night. A few didn't know about the rules but were happy to comply and only a couple were turned away due to not having masks.
"Any policing was confined to people forgetting to put their masks on when going to the loo, which I guess is very easily done until we all get used to this new normal.”
Clarke adds that there were no complaints from staff, either, about wearing coverings.
Though the vast majority of people have accepted the new rules, there have still been reports of punters being refused entry, or kicked out, for refusing to wear masks, such as at a Wetherspoon in Redditch. Some pub lovers fear it will create “a flashpoint between staff and customers.”
According to the Government’s website, a face covering is “something which safely covers the nose and mouth.” Reusable and single-use masks are included, as are scarfs, bandanas, religious garments or hand-made cloth coverings so long as they “securely fit round the side of the face.” Industry magazine Big Hospitality reports that visors don’t count.
While each devolved parliament sets its own rules, front-of-house staff in England, Wales and Scotland are all currently required to wear face coverings. The current rules are predicted to last six months.
