'Make a bigger effort': Hospitality businesses across Scarborough borough told to follow new Covid-19 requirements

Hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses are being ordered to follow the Government’s latest requirements and introduce Covid-19 safety measures.

These include displaying a QR code that can be scanned by customers who wish to use the NHS Covid-19 app, and refusing entry if people refuse to provide their details.

Leaders of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) say they acknowledge the huge amount of work cafes, restaurants, pubs, leisure centres, hairdressers and salons all over the county have already undertaken.

But they are urging the sector to make a further effort and follow the most recent regulations.

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The NYLRF is also asking people in North Yorkshire to take the extra step of using facemasks outdoors when they are in crowded streets and places.

“We know these new regulations are yet another hill to climb but if we are to have any chance of keeping the infection rate down and keeping our local economy going, we all need to play our part and take on this responsibility,” said NYLRF Chair Richard Flinton.

“We wish to thank those traders who’ve done a great job in serving the community during the first lockdown and have adapted to be Covid-secure as lockdown has eased and changed. But with a resurgence of the pandemic we must all pull together.

“We are doing everything it is possible for us to do to keep the county’s residents, communities and businesses out of more serious lockdown measures and we are asking everyone to help, so the way we go about our daily lives will not be impacted further.

“All our partners have worked closely with residents and businesses during lockdown and I am confident we can pull together once more.”

New regulations require hospitality traders and personal contact businesses, such as hairdressers and nail bars, to undertake the following:

Display a QR code that can be scanned by customers or visitors who wish to use the NHS Covid-19 app.

Collect name and contact details of their customers or visitors, including the details of every member of a group unless all have used the QR code.

Retain details for 21 days and, if necessary, share with NHS Test and Trace or local public health officials to enable them to contact people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Refuse entry if individuals refuse to provide their details.

Hospitality venues must abide by the 10pm curfew.

From September 28, people can be served food and drink only if they are, and remain seated, at their table.

Hospitality businesses must ensure they do not take bookings from, or seat, groups of more than six people. They are also required to maintain an appropriate distance between tables and ensure different groups do not mingle.

People working in hospitality, personal contact businesses and leisure venues must now wear facemasks, as must customers when they are moving around a venue away from their table.

Although these requirements have been contained in Government guidance for some time, businesses which do not comply may now be fined between £1,000 and £4,000, and could face prosecution or the closure of their venue for repeated failures.

Jonathan Bramley, Environment and Regulation Manager at Scarborough Borough Council, said: “While the extra measures required will bring additional pressure, we know we can count on businesses to do the right thing and adapt further to help prevent the spread of the virus in our borough.

“Our environmental health and licensing officers are on hand to offer advice to any hospitality business unsure about the new regulations and how to apply them to their business. By working together, we can make a positive difference.”