Boris Johnson on behalf of the UK government yesterday, for all intents and purposes closed the UK pub sector, and many businesses associated with it. In his address to the nation yesterday he was advising people not to go to pubs and implement social distancing.
Whilst this is still not yet official government policy or law, it will nonetheless be observed by millions.
Commenting on the Government’s latest advice that people should avoid pubs, restaurants, hotels, theatres and other hospitality and leisure businesses, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls said: “This is catastrophic for businesses and jobs.
“The government has effectively shut the hospitality industry without any support, and this announcement will lead to thousands of businesses closing their doors for good, and hundreds of thousands of job losses.
“Over the past few weeks the industry has suffered unprecedented drops in visits and many business are already on their knees. This latest advice leaves the industry in limbo, with no recourse to insurance.
“The Government must act now to stop them going under and protect the people’s jobs. These venues play a unique role as community hubs and it’s in all our interests to protect and preserve them, so they are still there once we emerge from this crisis.
“We need immediate and far-reaching support from the government, and meaningful business continuity measures.”
