Government Considers Pub Curfew as Number of COVID-19 Cases Rises

A pub curfew may be established in addition to other social distancing guidelines as more restrictions are being put into place to battle escalating COVID-19 cases before winter comes. 

A pub curfew of 10 p.m. may be enforced in an attempt to reduce COVID-19 cases, the Associated Press reported. New measures to combat increasing COVID-19 cases will include bans of groups of more than six, social restrictions at entertainment venues, and pubs and restaurants will provide table service only. 

According to the AP, Health Secretary Matt Hancock promised £2.7 billion to assist the National Health Service over the winter months, as well. 

“The battle against coronavirus is not over, and while we strain every sinew to spring free from its clutches, with winter on the horizon we must prepare, bolster our defenses and come together once again against this common foe,″ Hancock told the AP.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism over the management of the coronavirus crisis due to a presumed absence of an integrated plan to fight another surge of COVID-19 cases. 

Will Pubs Be Closing Again?

Pubgoers rejoiced when restaurants and bars reopened across the U.K., but now those establishments may be forced to close again if there is a rise in COVID-19 cases, Metro reported.

The government has not yet decided on or confirmed a pub curfew or closures.

Restrictive measures could be established within a couple of weeks if the new rule of six does not work. The rule of six bans more than six people from gathering.

There is a current pub curfew in Bolton, Gateshead, Northumberland, North and South Tyneside and Sunderland. The curfew affects about 2 million people, according to Metro.

In New York City, a pub curfew rule forces bars to close at midnight.

For a city that never sleeps, the pub curfew has aroused some frustration. Many think that restrictions like pub curfews do not stop the virus from spreading, as a person can still contract the virus whether out on the town at 10 p.m. or 1 a.m.

A Brooklyn bar owner has initiated a lawsuit against the state’s governor over the pub curfew, arguing that the pub curfew only hurts business instead of preventing COVID-19 cases.

Keeping COVID-19 Cases Down With New Pub Rules

Last week a new pub rule was announced in an effort to avoid a pub curfew, but if these guidelines are not being followed, the pub curfew could still stand, according to the BBC.

Groups of six people or fewer can come to a pub, restaurant or cafe, but are not allowed to mingle with other groups.

Table bookings at restaurants and pubs will be kept to a maximum of six people. Venues can be fined if they book reservations for more groups of more than six. Fines are also possible for businesses that do not necessitate social distancing or take down personal details for tracing purposes.

Restaurants and pubs were previously advised to take customers’ contact information to trace them if COVID-19 cases were diagnosed and the coronavirus positive individuals attended the same venue.

Now, venues will be legally required to obtain customers’ contact information for tracing purposes, the BBC reported.

Only one customer per group will need to provide contact details to venues and the personal information will be stored for 21 days. Restaurant and pub customers only need to provide their name and phone number. Venue owners will need to take note of arrival times and length of stay.

A law is coming into action soon in Scotland that will require people to wear face coverings when moving around bars and pubs. 

Do you think there should be a pub curfew enforced? Do you think the pub and restaurant social distancing rules are too restrictive or not restrictive enough? Share how you feel in the comments.

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