BUSINESSES and residents across Barrow are being urged to follow guidelines after concerns were raised about households mixing and meeting up indoors in pubs and restaurants.
As the borough of Barrow and the rest of Cumbria is in Tier 2, restrictions are in place that state that you must not mix with anyone who is not part of your household or support bubble when you are indoors.
This includes in:
- Pubs and restaurants.
- Leisure and entertainment venues.
- Personal care/close contact services.
- Public buildings, such as libraries, community centres and halls.
At least one person in the group should give their contact details to the venue, or each individual should check in using the official NHS COVID-19 app so NHS Test and Trace can contact you if needed.
Businesses could face a fine if they don’t comply with the regulations and are being urged to check details when accepting bookings from customers and at the venue itself.
Councillor Lee Roberts, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “I know everyone has had a tough year and it would be nice to be able to go out and to socialise with friends and extended family.
“Likewise, it’s difficult to imagine how things could have been any more difficult for businesses and their staff across our borough and the rest of the country this year.
“However the rules are very clear. You can’t go to the pub for a meal, or to any public indoor space, with people you don’t live with or share a bubble with.
“Please show your support by following the rules. It’s only by minimising the spread of the virus that we can look forward to being able to enjoy our fantastic businesses more as soon as possible.
“Businesses must check people are from the same household or household bubble when accepting bookings from members of the public.
“This is for the safety of us all, and to help stop the spread of the virus through our communities.”
All businesses and venues should follow COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.
Restrictions on businesses and venues in Tier 2 areas include:
- pubs and bars may not provide alcohol for consumption on the premises, unless with a substantial meal, so they are operating as a restaurant. They may remain open for take-away services.
- other hospitality businesses - including cafes, restaurants and social clubs - can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. If they are a business which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises, they must be table service only.
- hospitality venues that do not serve alcohol may allow someone to order from the counter, but they must still consume their meal from a seat if eating in,
- certain businesses and venues are required to collect customer, visitor and staff data to support NHS Test and Trace,
- the wearing of face coverings for customers and staff (other than those with exemptions) is mandatory in certain indoor settings
- businesses must ensure that if their workers are required to self-isolate, they do not work outside their designated place of self-isolation
Businesses and venues that fail to comply with these restrictions may face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution, or in some cases closure.
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