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COVID-19 Update 29th September 2020

  • Local Lockdown Changes
  • North East – Indoor Inter-Household Mixing Restricted in Parts of the NE

The Government has announced that from tomorrow it will be illegal for people from one household to meet with people from another household in indoor settings such as pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions in the following areas:

  • Durham
  • Gateshead
  • Newcastle
  • North Tyneside
  • South Tyneside
  • Northumberland
  • Sunderland

The press release notes that discussions are continuing with local leaders in Merseyside to establish whether additional measures may be necessary there.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/indoor-inter-household-mixing-restricted-in-parts-of-the-north-east

  • North West

Blackpool has been added to the North West Lockdown Zone. It is also worth noting that, in comparison to the new legal requirement on household mixing in the NE mentioned above, the guidance for the NW lockdown zone is that:

we advise that you should not socialise with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue. This applies to inside and outside of the affected areas. Examples of public venues include pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-west-england-local-restrictions

  • Screens

At the TIER meeting today DCMS clarified that after discussion with the Cabinet Office, staff behind counters where there is a screen do not have to wear face coverings.

  • Updated Working Safely With Coronavirus Guidance

The government’s primary guidance for various parts of the tourism industry has been updated. The various updates are as follows

Heritage locations

The updated sections are on thinking about risk (section 1), keeping your customers, visitors and contractors safe (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings (section 6).

Hotels and other guest accommodation

The updated sections are on managing risk (section 1.1), keeping your customers, visitors and contractors safe (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and face coverings (section 6).

Performing arts

The updated sectors are on thinking about risk (section 1), who should return to training, rehearsal and performance (section 2), managing performances (section 3), hair and makeup (section 4.16) and face coverings (section 6.2).

The visitor economy

The updated sections are on managing risk (section 1.1), managing your customers, visitors and contractors (section 2), who should go to work (section 3) and face coverings (section 6).

  • Northern Ireland Closing Time

The First Minister has just made a statement to the NI Assembly announcing that a closing time of 11pm will be implemented in Northern Ireland from Wednesday 30th September for establishments serving alcohol and food. This means that last orders for food and drink will be 10.30pm,  allowing people 30mins to finish-up. There will be no late licences. By contrast:

England

  • Premises must close  and customers must be out the door by 10pm

Wales

  • Premises must stop serving by 10pm and customers are allowed 20mins to finish and leave the premises

Scotland

  • Premises must close and customers must be out the door by 10pm (although the Rule of Six in Scotland means that only people from two different households can be together)
  • Winter Economy Plan for Wales

Tourism businesses in Wales will be pleased to learn that the Chancellor has just announced that the business support measures announced last week will apply in Wales as well.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-outlines-winter-economy-plan-for-wales

agto@agto.co.uk
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