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Video report by ITV News political correspondent Carl Dinnen
Ministers are under increasing pressure to review the “hard” Curfew at 10pm in pubs, bars and restaurants amid criticism that the new rules are leading to revelers filling the streets in droves.
Crowds of people gathered in city centers on Saturday night and huddled on public transportation were photographed as long lines formed outside the licenses after venues kicked out customers at 10 p.m.
The rules, which went into effect in England on Thursday, mean that all hospitality venues must close by 10 p.m., rather than simply calling the latest orders, in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
But Emma McClarkin, executive director of the British Beer and Pub Association, urged ministers to review curfew and give venues more flexibility in closing times to allow patrons to stagger their outings.
She said: “The curfew has been another devastating blow to the beer and bar industry. We have invested millions in creating safe socializing environments and little by little we have been regaining the trust of our customers and rebuilding our business.
“As we have seen this weekend, the harsh 10 pm curfew has resulted in customers leaving venues and filling the streets in droves.
“We would like to see the harsh 10pm revised to allow us flexibility in door closing times and allow customers to stagger their departures.
“Having not been consulted by the government about last week’s announcements, we are ready to work with the government to find the safest and most practical ways to address the coronavirus while keeping our companies and the hundreds of others alive at the same time. thousands of jobs they provide. “
His comments come after Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night economy adviser, said the curfew was “badly thought out”.
ITV News political correspondent Carl Dinnen breaks down the latest on restrictions
He wrote on Twitter: ‘It is very clear, across the UK, that this ill-thought-out 10pm curfew has pushed everyone out of social distancing places, onto the streets, into supermarkets, into crowded public transport and house parties.
“All the operators predicted this. Shambolic “.
Shadow justice secretary David Lammy also criticized the curfew for leading to a “situation where people leave pubs, wander around cities and potentially spread the virus.”
And Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said closing time at 10 pm “doesn’t make sense” as he pointed to figures suggesting that only 5% of coronavirus outbreaks are related to hospitality.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisted Sunday that there was “definitely science” behind the curfew, even though a scientist who advised the government said he had “never heard” of the measure discussed at Sage meetings.
Mr Dowden said: “There is definitely science behind this, which is why we are demanding that people sit in pubs and restaurants, to stop the flow of them to and from the bar.
“We are reducing closing times to prevent people from staying up late and drinking. And the point of all this is that everyone has their part to play. If we all follow the rules, we can make sure there are no more draconian restrictions. “
In Wales, the sale of alcohol is prohibited after 10pm, but customers have an additional 20 minutes to finish their drinks after the last orders.
Welsh hospitality companies, including pubs, cafes, restaurants, sports clubs and casinos, cannot supply alcohol between 10 pm and 6 am
Licensed venues can only provide table service to customers when consuming food or beverages, and after a 20 minute period to allow customers to finish their drinks at 10pm, they must close at 10.20pm
