Pubs could ban singing and shouting inside when they finally reopen to halt coronavirus spread

PUBS could ban singing and shouting inside when they finally reopen to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

In order to relax the two-metre social distancing rule, boozers could be forced to switch loud music off so customers don’t have to shout or talk loudly, which sprays the virus further.

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It is just one of many measures being discussed by Whitehall sources to help pubs and restaurants on their return, which is reported to be early next month.

Pubs, restaurants and shops could be allowed to ignore the two-metre distancing rule as part of a major blueprint for getting Britain back up and running.

Businesses will be able to allow staff and workers closer together but only if they can show they have taken measures to lower the risk of catching coronavirus.

Offices, bistros and shopping centres would be expected to prove they’ve made spaces safe for customers and staff before being given the green light to open their doors again.

It could mean bustling businesses bounce back even if the two metre rule stays in place for longer than expected – although yesterday Boris Johnson hinted he could shrink the distances to one.

Whitehall sources working on the proposal suggest firms may be allowed to reopen if they can demonstrate they have taken measures to mitigate risks.

Papers drawn up by the government’s scientific advisors, and released yesterday, outline a raft of possible options to help kickstart the economy.

They include staggering working hours, working in smaller groups, video conferencing and increased cleaning.

Other ideas include the use of antimicrobial surfaces, replacing door handles with sensors and click and collect instead of waiting staff.

People will be encouraged to put the toilet seat down, move around in one direction, avoid hot desking and sit back to back with colleagues.

A source said: “People would have to do some kind of risk assessment as to what the likelihood of being exposed to the virus is.

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“There are various mitigations including say ventilation, screens and barriers, face coverings, cleaning, hygiene.

“There’s a whole raft of measures that could potentially be used – some are more useful than others.”

DISTANCING RULE IS ‘A GUIDE’

Pressure has been mounting on the PM to reduce the two metre rule, which many fear will cripple industry amid the worst economic crash the nation has ever seen.

Sir Patrick Vallance said earlier this week that the measurement was a guide based on risk, rather than a rule.

But now sources close to advisers stress a review of the two metre guidelines would be a policy review, led by ministers, rather than a scientific review.

A Whitehall source added: “The scientists don’t regard two metres as a rule – it’s a guide.

“They give the evidence as they know it and then it’s a policy decision. It’s a judgement call about probability.”

But yesterday, the Prime Minister hinted he was listening to the scientists, and the distance was being reviewed right now.

The scientists don’t regard two metres as a rule – it’s a guide.

He said: “We are looking for the moment where we have got the figures down, but when they are down so far, we can say the two metre rule is no longer necessary.

“We are doing a review right now – keeping it under review – and obviously as we make further progress, I hope to say more.”

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show the infection rate in the community is low with only around six people infected for every 10000 person.

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And the Sage group revealed yesterday that The R rate was at or below 1 – and therefore not easily spreading – across most of the UK.

The PM added: “The vast proportion, probably 80 per cent of infections ,are in care homes or infections in the NHS.

“There are complex issues about the risks the whole of the community faces with the R.

“The crucial thing is the overall rate of infections we are seeing, the overall rate of infections in the country or community and the overall rate of new hospital admissions.”

LEADING PREPARATIONS TO REOPEN

As the PM faces increased pressure to drop the distance, Scotland Minister Mr Jack called for the move to one metre distancing.

He said: “As soon as it is possible to do so with the R number suppressed, I would like to see it move to one metre.

“I think, to get back to something to near normal in the way that we conduct our lives and our businesses, as we see the virus recede, and we’ve seen this happen without any bad consequences in other European countries, we should move to one metre when the time is right.”

Yesterday pub groups urged the Government to confirm a date when they can reopen along with the safety guidelines.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said the Government’s road map indicates pubs will be able to reopen from July 4 – but they need a fixed date in order to start brewing beer – as the deadline is today.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The situation has left us with no choice but to take the initiative and lead the preparations to get pubs ready to reopen and get Britain brewing again.”

Under current guidelines you are advised to stay two metres away from other people outside of your household if you can.

Scientists have come up with the distance as it is roughly the distance particles from breath travel before they fall to the ground.

In one Sage document published yesterday but dated June 4 the scientists admit: “It is not possible to say with certainty what a safe distance of separation is.”

But they say current evidence suggests 1m is between two and ten times riskier than 2m of separation.

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