Wetherspoons confirms it WON’T show any live sport in pubs when they reopen

WETHERSPOONS has confirmed that it won't be screening any live sports in pubs when they reopen on Saturday.

While the government's Covid-19 secure guidelines doesn't ban pubs and restaurants from broadcasting live games, it does ask businesses not putting on any entertainment that "may encourage shouting".

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This is because shouting can increase the risk of spreading the coronavirus - the disease is passed on through droplets, such as infected breath and spit, which is more likely to fly out of your mouth and nose when you forcefully raise your voice.

And while many Brits can't wait to sip on their first pint in a pub for three months, they won't be able to do it as they watch live sport in 'Spoons.

Over the past few weeks, sports fans have been able to enjoy the return of football and horse racing after the coronavirus outbreak put a dramatic stop to it back in March.

For the same reason, all live music, comedy gigs and dancing have been banned.

The government hopes to update the guidelines soon but in the meantime Wetherspoons has made the call not to play any live sports games on TV throughout July.

It says: "As our pubs reopen, our focus will be on meeting social distancing requirements and keeping our customers and staff safe.

"For this reason and to avoid crowds congregating, no football or sporting events will be shown on our TVs during July."

But it does promise to look at the rules again in August to see if it is possible to broadcast them.

Wetherspoons has also introduced a handful of new measures that will keep staff and customers safe when it reopens around 875 out of the nearly 900 'Spoons branches in the UK.

"Sneeze screens" have been put up between tables and customers will be asked to order food and drink through the free app.

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Customers may have to queue up outside branches at busier times and managers on the door will wear body cams - a policy introduced eight months ago - to encourage punters to abide by the rules.

It's been over three months since Wetherspoons was asked to temporarily shut up shop to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Things won't be the same as before but The Sun has been given a behind-the-scenes look at what they will look like post-lockdown.

Customers will also be encouraged to pay by contactless payment, cash and giftcards will still be accepted even if they expired during lockdown - Wetherspoons has extended them for another six months after their expiry date.

CAMRA gift cards with an expiry date of between April 1 and June 30, 2020 will be accepted until the end of November.

Mr Hancock has also confirmed that bars and restaurants will have to keep a record of everyone who visits before being served to help track and trace coronavirus outbreaks.

Wetherspoons is yet to confirm exactly how it expects to carry this out.

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Under the new measures, punters will have to follow a new set of rules too -you can find the full list here.

The Sun has also been given a tour around a Greene King pub to see what it will look like for customers post-lockdown.

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Licensing rules have also been relaxed to allow pubs and hotels to turn car parks and grounds into beer gardens.