UK Government leak suggests clubs could reopen under new guidance

A UK Government leak has suggested clubs could reopen under new guidance, alongside hotels, pubs, and restaurants.

In a hospitality sector plans seen by The Times, clubs were among a number of venues to be given guidance for reopening as Britain navigates returning to normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The official advice included socially-distanced queues, temperature checks similiar to those seen in airports, and hand sanitizing stations.

It is also set to be announced next week that the two-metre rule currently in place will be relaxed, and that pubs and restauarants will also reopen with guidelines that adhere to new health and safety regulations.

Chief Executive at the Royal Albert Hall, Craig Hassall, recently spoke to Mirror Online about a number of safety measures which could be implicated, including disinfectant mists that have recently been used in South Korea. 

“The test case in Seoul – where a Phantom of the Opera production has continued running – has seen audience members walking through a light mist of disinfectant, having their temperature taken, and filling in a questionnaire about their symptoms and recent places they’ve visited," he said. “If we’re to find a solution, it is going to be a combination of numerous measures, from increased access points to hand sanitisers, Perspex screens and PPE for staff.”

It's been three months since prime minister Boris Johnson officially ordered a list of venues, which included clubs, pubs, bars, food and drink venues, theatres, and concert halls, to close their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UK's communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, initially said that the restriction would be in place for 14 days before review, and venues have been remained shuttered since.

In April, London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé appealed to local council authorities to suspend licence fees for hospitality businesses for 12 months in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.