Coronavirus / ‘Customers who shout or sing can expect to be challenged by premises staff’ – SIC issues reminder to hospitality over Euro 2020 games
SHETLAND Islands Council’s environmental health team is reminding the local hospitality trade of “Covid-safe guidelines” when showing any Euro 2020 football matches.
The games kick off on Friday (11 June), with Scotland’s first match scheduled for Monday at 2pm.
The council said venues should not exceed their capacity limits, which are based on maintaining physical distancing.
Table service must be provided, customers should remain seated, and staff must wear face coverings at all times – this also applies to non-seated customers.
Different households should stay at least two metres apart unless the venue is operating one metre distancing due to additional measures being in place.
Under current Scottish Government guidelines, the broadcast of live sport in hospitality premises cannot be actively promoted or turned into an ‘event’.
This would require specific capacity limits and higher physical distancing standards and may mean that fewer customers can watch the games.
If businesses are making significant changes to their normal operations, such as using a function room or making specific changes to an outdoor space for screening matches, this is likely to be considered as an ‘event’ and these can present a significant public health risk.
The council added that venues should provide sufficient ventilation indoors by keeping windows open as much as possible; and background music or television noise should be kept at low levels.
Effective cleaning regimes must also be in place for all shared and hard surface contact areas, including toilets, door handles, tables and chairs and service items.
Customers must also provide contact details for Test and Protect purposes. Premises should make sure that the QR code is clearly visible to patrons who might be using the Check-In Scotland App.
Level zero rules for hospitality will also apply as follows:
- The maximum number of people who can meet indoors is 10, who can be from up to four separate households.
- The maximum number of people who can meet outdoors is 15, who can be from up to 15 separate households.
- Children under the age of 12 do not count towards the total number of people who can meet but do count towards the maximum of four households permitted to meet indoors.
Fans may want to celebrate when goals are scored but “customers who shout or sing can expect to be challenged by premises staff”, the council said. Clear signage can help to inform customers of expected standards of behaviour.
Current government guidance on hospitality shows that singing and shouting should be avoided in pubs to reduce the risk of Covid potentially spreading.
Environmental health team leader David Robertson said: “We want all football supporters to enjoy Euro 2020 as safely as possible, so we’re issuing this advice to help hospitality owners understand the steps they need to take to ensure patrons can watch matches in safety.
“We’re also aware that some new variants seem to have non-typical Covid symptoms, such as sniffles, headaches, tiredness, a sore stomach and diarrhoea.
“If you feel unwell with any of these symptoms, or have a high temperature, a new continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, please arrange a Covid test and stay at home until you get your result.”
Covid-19 guidance for the tourism and hospitality sector is available on the Scottish Government website, which includes a link to further guidance from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association.
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