When do restaurants close

Where there is continuous talking or singing, or high levels of physical activity such as dancing, playing sport or exercising , providing ventilation sufficient to keep CO2 levels below ppm is recommended. CO2 monitors can be used to check ventilation in a wide range of settings. In large areas, multiple sensors may be required to provide meaningful information.

There are some spaces where CO2 monitors are less likely to provide useful readings. These are:. Read advice on the suitability of CO2 monitoring in different types of space.

Where CO2 monitors cannot be used, you should still identify poorly ventilated spaces and provide adequate ventilation.

Objective: To support a safe return to the workplace. To help businesses engage with their workers to find an approach that best suits their needs. Over the summer, we have seen a gradual return to offices and workplaces. As workers return to their workplaces, employers should continue to follow the Working Safely guidance. When considering a return to the workplace, employers should:. You should discuss a return to the workplace with workers, and trade unions to make working arrangements that meet both business and individual needs.

We recognise that ways of working have shifted through the pandemic, and many employers are looking at future hybrid models which include an element of home working. Whatever model you choose to follow for the longer term, you should discuss it with those who might be affected and also with employee representatives. You should discuss the timing and, where applicable, phasing of any return with workers. To help them to feel safe returning to work consult with them on any health and safety measures you have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID spreading.

You should give extra consideration to people at higher risk and to workers facing mental and physical health difficulties. You should continue to support these workers by discussing with them their individual needs and supporting them in taking any additional precautions advised by their clinicians.

Consider providing support for workers around mental health and wellbeing. This could include advice or telephone support. People who have had close contact with someone with COVID do not need to self-isolate if any of the following apply:. Find out more about when to self-isolate. Enable workers to work from home while self-isolating, if appropriate. See current guidance related to statutory sick pay due to COVID — Statutory sick pay for employers — Statutory sick pay for employees.

Ensure any workers who have symptoms of COVID self-isolate immediately, even if their symptoms are mild. They should continue to self-isolate until they get a negative PCR test result or for the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, their symptoms started at any time on the 15th of the month their isolation period ends at pm on the 25th. Workers that test positive but have no symptoms must also self-isolate in this way.

Sometimes workers develop symptoms during their isolation period. In these cases, they must restart their day self-isolation period from the day after they develop symptoms. Some exceptions apply. See the guidance on when you need to keep self-isolating. See the guidance for those who have been in contact with, but do not live with, a person who has tested positive for COVID If staff members feel unwell but do not have COVID symptoms, or their test is negative, staying at home until they feel better could reduce the risk of passing on an illness to colleagues.

Find out more. When applying this guidance, be mindful of the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals. Read the government guidance on discrimination. You might also have other workers who are at higher risk and for whom additional precautions should be considered.

Understand and take into account the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics. Consider if you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under equalities legislation. Make sure any steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others. For example, those with caring responsibilities or religious commitments. There are no limits on contact between people from different households including in the workplace.

There is no government requirement or recommendation for employers to limit capacity. If, based on setting-specific risk assessments, you decide to reduce contact in particular circumstances, you may want to consider the following mitigations:. You should consider the need for these mitigations in the context of other COVID workplace mitigations such as ventilation, regular cleaning of surfaces and the use of face coverings you have put in place.

They should only be applied where practical. For example, without imposing restrictions on business operations or reducing workplace capacity.

You should take account of those with protected characteristics and discuss with disabled workers what reasonable adjustments can be made to the workplace so they can work safely. COVID is a respiratory illness. Read government guidance on managing food preparation and food service areas. Minimising interaction between kitchen staff and other workers, for example, have food collection zones for front of house staff.

For example, when presenting food to serving staff and delivery drivers. Objective: To make sure that any site or location that has been closed or partially operated is clean and ready to restart.

Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment if they draw in a supply of fresh air. See the advice on ventilation and air conditioning for more information.

Frequently cleaning objects and surfaces that people touch regularly. This includes counters and tills. Make sure there are adequate disposal arrangements for cleaning products. Cleaning surfaces and objects between each customer use.

For example, clean tables, card machines, chairs, trays and laminated menus in view of customers before customer use. Providing extra non-recycling bins for workers and clients to dispose of single use face coverings and PPE. You should refer to the guidance for information on how to dispose of personal or business waste, including face coverings and PPE.

Read government guidance on cleaning food preparation and food service areas. Recognising that cleaning measures are already stringent in kitchen areas. Consider the need for additional cleaning and disinfection measures. Reading government guidance on hygiene in food preparation and food service areas. Using signs and posters to make people aware: — how to wash their hands well — that they should wash their hands frequently — that they should not touch their faces — they should cough or sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into their arms if a tissue is not available.

Providing hand sanitiser in multiple accessible locations in addition to washrooms. Providing hand drying facilities. Provide paper towels, continuous roller towels or electrical dryers. Ensuring workers wash their hands after handling customer items and before moving onto another task.

For example, after collecting used plates for cleaning and before serving food to another table. You should manage them carefully to reduce that risk. Businesses should update their risk assessments for each premises where changing rooms are being used. You should ensure adequate ventilation in changing rooms.

For example, by ensuring mechanical ventilation works effectively and opening windows and vents where possible. Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for showers, lockers and changing rooms.

Enhancing cleaning of all facilities regularly during the day and at the end of the day. Use normal cleaning products. Pay attention to frequently hand touched surfaces, and consider using disposable cloths or paper roll to clean all hard surfaces. For example, ensure any mechanical ventilation works effectively and open windows and vents where possible.

Objective: To reduce the spread of COVID through contact with objects that come into the workplace and vehicles at the worksite. Putting in place cleaning procedures for the parts of shared equipment people touch after each use. Encouraging people to wash their hands more often. Put in place more handwashing facilities for workers who handle goods and merchandise. Provide hand sanitiser where this is not practical. Any use of PPE should be determined by an assessment of risks in the workplace.

If your risk assessment does show that PPE is required, you must provide this PPE free of charge to workers who need it. Face coverings are no longer required by law. However, people should wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed settings where they come into contact with people they do not normally meet. Where worn correctly, this may reduce the risk of transmission to themselves and others. Be aware that workers may choose to wear a face covering in the workplace.

Businesses can encourage customers, visitors or workers to wear a face covering. Consider encouraging, for example through signage, the use of face coverings by customers and workers, particularly in indoor areas where they may come into contact with people they do not normally meet.

This is especially important in enclosed and crowded spaces. When deciding your approach to face coverings, you need to consider the reasonable adjustments for staff and clients with disabilities. You also need to consider carefully how this fits with other obligations to workers and customers arising from the law on employment rights, health and safety and equality legislation.

Some people are not able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Be aware that face coverings may make it harder to communicate with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound.

If your workers choose to wear a face covering, you should support them in using face coverings safely. This means telling them:. This plan should nominate a single point of contact SPOC where possible. If you become aware of any positive cases of COVID in your workplace, you should follow the guidance for employers. This prompt action will help reduce the risk of a workplace outbreak. You should inform your local authority public health team if there is an outbreak at your workplace.

Further information on the thresholds for notifying outbreaks and who to contact is available from your local authority. Encouraging people travelling together in any one vehicle to, wherever possible, use fixed travel partners or avoid sitting face-to-face. Providing adequate ventilation by switching on ventilation systems that draw in fresh air or opening windows.

For more information on ventilation in vehicles read HSE guidance on ventilation and air conditioning. Communicating clearly, consistently and regularly. This will improve understanding and consistency of ways of working. Engaging with workers through existing communication routes and worker representatives. Do this to explain and agree any changes in working arrangements.

Developing communication and training materials for workers prior to returning to site. This is especially important for new procedures for arrival at work. Objective: To make sure all workers are updated on how safety measures are being implemented or updated. Engaging with workers on an ongoing basis.

This includes through trade unions or employee representative groups. Do this to monitor and understand any unforeseen impacts of changes to working environments. Being aware of and focus on the importance of mental health at times of uncertainty. Communicating approaches and operational procedures with suppliers, customers or trade bodies to help their adoption and to share experience.

All businesses currently closed - such as nightclubs - will be allowed to reopen subject to ongoing risk assessments. What is Plan B for Covid this winter? Postcode check: What can you do where you live? What's the evidence for pub restrictions and curfews? Image source, Getty Images.

What is changing in England? What are the rules until 19 July? Groups of six, or two households of any size, can meet inside Groups of 30 can meet outside People must order, eat and drink while seated, where alcohol is served Social distancing encouraged and capacity limits All customers over 16 should check in with NHS test and trace or provide contact details. Notting Hill Carnival taken off the streets again Kendal Calling festival cancelled for second year.

What will change in Scotland on 19 July? Hospitality venues can open until midnight, regardless of local licensing rules currently, venues in level 0 follow local licensing rules, but will have to follow the stricter rules Ten people from four households can meet indoors Fifteen people from 15 households can meet outdoors No requirement to pre-book two-hour slots at pubs or restaurants Face coverings still required except when seated Customers still required to provide contact details for Test and Trace Nightclubs and adult entertainment remain closed.

Venues open until indoors, two-hour pre-booked slots Outdoors, local licensing rules Six people from three households can meet indoors Eight people from eight separate households can meet outdoors.

Venues open until indoors Outdoors, local licensing rules Eight people from three households can meet indoors Twelve people from 12 households can meet outdoors. What's happening in Northern Ireland? Under current rules:.

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can open indoors and outdoors Six customers per table from six households children under 13 not counted Single household groups of up to 10 permitted Live music performances at "ambient levels" are allowed, but dancing is not No attendance limit at indoor and outdoor events but risk assessments must be carried out.

What about Wales? Larger venues can allow one person per 4 sqm indoors, or one person per 2 sqm up up to people outdoors. Small venues can have up to 25 people or one person per 4 sqm if more than 25 people. Food courts are fully open at one person per 4 sqm. Masks can be removed to consume food and drink. Small venues can have up to 25 people indoors before the density quotient applies.

However, check in to the food and drink premises using the Service Victoria app. The same density and capacity limits for cafes and restaurants apply. Dance floors are only permitted outdoors. Yes, if you're not eating and drinking. Face masks must be worn indoors at all food and drink premises. You are not required to wear a face mask outdoors. There are no travel distance limits within Victoria.

Fines, enforcement and reporting Find information about the enforcement of COVID directions in Victoria, the fines for non-compliance and how to report a breach. Share this page Twitter , opens a new window Facebook , opens a new window LinkedIn , opens a new window.