Pubs not significant area of transmission
UKHospitality outlines safety of the sector and calls on government to make hospitality central to reopening plans.
A new report on the safe reopening of hospitality has shown that businesses in the sector were not significant areas of Covid-19 transmission in 2020.
The report, commissioned by UKHospitality from analysts CGA, argues hospitality businesses should be central to reopening plans in 2021.
According to the study, the UK hospitality market was not a significant area of Covid-19 transmission in 2020 and will not be responsible for significant transmission in spring 2021 and beyond.
It goes onto to say that reports linking the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases were linked to a single, discredited study.
“Reopening has to be done correctly at the first time of asking," says UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls. "A barrier to that could be the incorrect assumption that our businesses pose a risk to public health. We know that hospitality businesses are safe and all the data has shown we are not a significant area of transmission. This report is a vindication of everything we have been saying and a forceful argument for allowing us to reopen and welcome back our customers.
“Hospitality can lead the economic recovery of the country. We can provide jobs to people who have lost them and host millions who are desperate for some enjoyment after a torrid year. This report shows we can do it safely, too. The government should take note and ensure it allows hospitality to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.”
