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Rishi Sunak did not disobey the closure rules by holding a meeting at a branch of a pizza chain in Waterloo to discuss its latest business support package, because “it was not a functioning restaurant at the time,” Treasury said.
The Treasury issued a press release with 12 photos of the chancellor and the secretary of communities, Robert Jenrick, sitting around a table in a Franco Manca branch in south London with representatives of hotel companies.
Mixing between members of different households in indoor hospitality settings is currently prohibited in the capital, and office staff are urged to work from home whenever possible.
Fast guide
What are the three levels of England’s Covid lockdown system?
Level one – medium
- The “rule of six” applies, which means that it is forbidden to socialize in groups of more than six people, whether indoors or outdoors.
- Traders can continue to come to a home to work and are not counted as part of the six person limit.
- Businesses and venues can continue to operate, but pubs and restaurants need to ensure that customers only consume food and drinks while seated, and they close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Take-out can continue to be sold after 10 p.m. M. If ordered by phone or online.
- Schools and universities remain open.
- Places of worship remain open, but people should not mix in a group of more than six.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of people who can attend (15 and 30 respectively).
- Exercise classes and organized sports can continue to take place outdoors and, if the rule of six is followed, indoors.
Level two – high
- People are prohibited from socializing with people outside their home or with bubbles of support in any indoor environment.
- Traders can continue to go home to work.
- The rule of six still applies to socializing outdoors, for example in a garden or in a public space like a park or a beach.
- Businesses and venues can continue to operate, but pubs and restaurants need to ensure that customers only consume food and beverages while seated and close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Take-out can continue to be sold after 10 p.m. M. If ordered online or by phone.
- Schools and universities remain open.
- Places of worship remain open, but people should not mix in a group of more than six.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of people who can attend (15 and 30 respectively).
- Exercise classes and organized sports may continue to take place outdoors, but will only be allowed indoors if people can avoid mixing with people they don’t live with (or don’t share a bubble of support with ), or for youth or disabled sports.
- Travel to open services is allowed, for work or to access education, but people are encouraged to reduce the number of trips whenever possible.
Level three: very high
- People are prohibited from socializing with people they do not live with or have not formed a bubble of support with, in any indoor setting, private garden, or most outdoor entertainment venues and ticketed events.
- Traders can continue to go home to work.
- The rule of six still applies to public outdoor spaces, such as parks, beaches, public gardens, or sports facilities.
- Pubs and bars can only remain open to operate as restaurants, in which case alcohol can only be served as part of a substantial meal.
- Schools and universities remain open.
- Places of worship remain open, but domestic mixing is not allowed.
- Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of people attending (15 and 30 respectively), but wedding receptions are not allowed.
- The rules for exercise classes and organized sport are the same as for level 2. They can continue to take place outdoors, but will only be allowed indoors if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with. (or share a bubble with support), or for youth sports or for the disabled. However, in Merseyside, gyms were ordered to close when they entered level 3.
- Avoid traveling outside of an area with a very high alert level or entering an area with a very high alert level, except for reasons such as work, education or youth services, to fulfill care responsibilities or if you are traveling as part of a longer trip.
- Residents of a level 3 area should avoid spending the night in another part of the UK, while people living in a level 1 or level 2 area should avoid spending the night in a very high alert level area.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson was asked on Thursday about whether business meetings could be held in restaurants or cafes in areas under Level 2 restrictions.
He said: “There is an exemption for business meetings to take place in hospitality settings. Our intention in granting that exemption had been to provide the opportunity for freelancers or freelancers who did not have an office space to work, to use hospitality if necessary. “
He added: “What we ask people to do whenever possible is hold meetings remotely, over the phone or by video conference or whatever.”
When asked whether Sunak had violated the rules, a Treasury spokesperson said: “The restaurant was not a functioning restaurant at the time. There were no customers in the restaurant at the time and everything was protected by Covid, including used face masks and social distance. “
Attendees were photographed sitting apart from each other around long tables, with cakes and water.
Aides said Sunak believed it was important to show its support and solidarity with the hospitality sector, which has been pushing for more financial support for months.
Sunak had previously been criticized for launching his “go out to eat to help” plan in the summer by serving food at a branch of the Wagamama noodle chain without wearing a mask, though they weren’t required for hospitality staff until September.
Treasury advertisements are meticulously marked and often feature Sunak’s signature prominently, sometimes to the irritation of fellow conservatives. Advisor Cass Horowitz is often credited with polishing her personal brand.
