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COVID-19 Licensing issues: Businesses and premises closures: guidance updated (25 March) Published Date: 25/03/2020

The guidance relating to business and premises closures has been updated today (25 March), setting out a more detailed list of closures and exceptions.  'Off-licences and licenced shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries' are included within the exceptions and can remain open.

The updated guidance also clearly states that takeaway and delivery services should remain open and operational, meaning people can continue to access takeaway services (including delivery drivers), although businesses are encouraged to use online and telephone delivery services as a preferred option.  There is also reference to the changes to planning regulation to enable this.

Link to the full updated guidance.

Extracts from guidance:

 

The list of businesses and exceptions has been updated as follows:

Takeaway and delivery facilities should remain open and operational.

This means people can continue to enter premises to access takeaway services, including delivery drivers. Businesses are encouraged to take orders online or by telephone, and businesses should not provide seating areas, indoors and outdoors, for customers to consume food and drink on. Ordering in advance is strongly encouraged to avoid waiting in, as per Public Health England guidelines.

Planning regulation has been changed to enable restaurants, cafés and pubs which do not currently offer delivery and hot food takeaway to do so. The legislation can be accessed online. People must not consume food or drinks on site at restaurants, cafés or pubs whilst waiting for takeaway food. Those venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages in this list if their license does not already permit.

 

UPDATE

Guidance and advice for those providing hotel and other accommodation in the UK

Luke Hall MP, Minister for Local Government and Homelessness has written to local authorities on hotel closures clarifying exemptions for keyworkers and homeless. The letter urges anyone who has closed services for homeless people as a result of the measures announced this week, to reopen as soon as possible.

Read more