Hospitality businesses face fines and closures if they fail to keep premises Covid secure

Speaking at today’s special press conference (9 September), Johnson said the government was stepping up its enforcement of social distancing rules in an attempt to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

“We will support local authorities to make further and faster use of powers to close venues that are breaking the rules and pose a risk to public health,” he said.

“Fines will be levied against hospitality businesses that fail to ensure their premises remain Covid secure.”

Johnson also confirmed the implementation from this Monday of what he called the “rule of six” ​​that will ban social gatherings of more than six people in England both indoors and outdoors.

He said that restaurants and hospitality businesses can still hold more than six people in total but there must not be individual groups larger than six in venues and groups must not mix socially or form larger groups within venues.

The new rule  will be enforced by fines.

The Government also confirmed at today’s press conference that it will be compulsory for restaurants and pubs in England to take customers’ details​​ for the purpose of the NHS Test and Trace scheme. Businesses will be legally required to request, record and retain customer details for 21 days and provide these details to the NHS without delay.

The government said it would be restricting the opening hours of premises in some local areas, but didn’t elaborate on where these areas might be.