BY Michael Berriman | Friday 9 April 2021
On Monday 12 April, the country will reach the next stage of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, which will see a variety of businesses being allowed to reopen.
This will include non-essential retail, such as personal care premises including hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups), as will outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.
Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors where customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
It is vitally important that any business or organisation reopening next week does so safely, ensuring they fully understand government guidelines and implement all relevant safety measures.
Support and information is available both through the government website and Hull City Council.
Visit Hull is leading on an ERDF funded project to welcome visitors back safely to the city centre.
Public information graphics, social distancing markers and other materials are being provided to city centre businesses and those in neighbourhood shopping areas. More information is available online at Visit Hull.
Food business, such as restaurants and bars, can access a checklist of the measures they should take before reopening here.
It includes making sure that staff are aware of current safety guidance and have access to suitable PPE, and also that measures are in place to allow safe social distancing and customer interaction.
It is now also a legal requirement for hospitality venues to take contact details of every customer, not just one per group, for the NHS Test and Trace system.
Operators must also display an NHS QR code so that customers can scan on arrival using the NHS COVID-19 app. QR code posters can be created here.
Hospitality venues will be permitted to serve people outdoors in groups of up to six people or two households. Customers will be allowed to use indoor toilets, baby changing or breast-feeding facilities.
Outdoor structures will be permitted to have a roof, but 50 per cent of walls must be open at all times. Pods and sheds with enclosed walls are not considered to be outdoor spaces even if they only accommodate one household.
It will not be permissible to have live music outside – even in beer gardens.
Table service must be implemented at all times, but if a venue does not serve alcohol, customers will be permitted to order and collect food from a counter, but the food must be consumed whilst seated.
You can find out more about the government’s roadmap out of lockdown here.
Businesses are encouraged to contact Hull City Council if they require extra support or advice. They can contact the council here.
Anyone who believes that a business is failing to implement appropriate measures, or act responsibly, can contact the council’s Public Protection Team here.
