56% of operators 'not at all confident' for 19 July freedom
Just under 200 operators responded to a poll on The MA’s lockdown live blog with one in four (26%) saying they felt “somewhat” confident in the new ‘freedom day’.
A small number of operators (11%) said they felt "very confident" that measures including the rule of six and social distancing would be abolished from next month.
It comes after the trade was dealt a heavy blow when the Prime Minister announced a four week delay to ambitions to lift remaining lockdown rules on 21 June.
Nightclubs and venues unable to open because of their size would have been able to reopen this month but Boris Johnson urged caution due to the Delta Covid variant.
Freedom day
Responding to a post on The MA’s Facebook page, one operator wrote: “I think there will be a lot less ‘freedoms’ on freedom day than people think there will be, if people think masks will be scrapped I think they are dreaming. I’ll be shocked if I’m not still wearing a mask and doing table service on 20 July.”
Trade bodies have urged the Government to stick to the 19 July date, which ministers have been referring to as a “terminus point”.
It has been reported that the Government is keen to drop social distancing and table service requirements for businesses from this date, so they can return to full capacity.
Looking good
Pub goers may still be encouraged to wear face coverings and keep their distance from others in updated guidance, The Telegraph reported.
What’s more, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said “things are looking good” about the possibility of scrapping Covid restrictions from 19 July and said it is a “strong expectation” that this will occur.
A coalition of more than 45 hospitality and events bosses wrote to the Prime Minister threatening legal action should 19 July’s reopening be delayed.
Night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord, led the open letter alongside the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) and large pub groups including Admiral Taverns and Revolution Bars.
