Bars will be last to reopen after UK lockdown

Hospitality businesses will be among the last sectors to reopen when lockdown measures in the UK are lifted, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has said.

On-trade venues will be among the last to reopen post-lockdown in the UK, MP Michael Gove said

Speaking on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show yesterday (Sunday 19 April), Gove said the UK hospitality sector would be among the last to exit the lockdown measures in the UK once it is safe to do so.

Last Thursday (16 April), the UK government extended the lockdown measures in the UK for a further three weeks due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to Marr, Gove said: “The other inference I draw from your question, which is that areas of hospitality will be among the last to exit the lockdown, yes, that is true, they will be among the last.

“But one of the things that I think it’s important to stress is you talked about a general lockdown, look, this virus has changed so much, it’s a new virus of great potency and lethality, it spreads remarkably fast, we want to ensure that we can get on top of it.

“We also want to ensure the economic life of the nation, the social life of the nation can return over time, but even as some restrictions are lifted, the way in which our schools, the way in which our shops and factories operate will change, as a result of what we know about this virus and what we know about social distancing.

“And of course we want to make sure that the best scientific advice guides us as we take an approach towards easing these restrictions in the right way with appropriate safeguards.”

On 16 March, UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned the British public to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Soon after, on the evening of 20 March, all UK on-trade venues were ordered to close until further notice due to the covid-19 outbreak.

To help businesses, the UK government launched the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which promises to pay 80% of wages for employees who are not working, up to £2,500 (US$2,900) a month. Last week, UK chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the scheme had been extended from three months to four, and the initiative started accepting applications from employees this morning (20 April).

Despite these measures, among other business loans and commercial property rent reprieve, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned redundancies are “increasingly likely” unless ministers address the hospitality sector’s cashflow crisis.

Earlier this month, the WSTA outlined a three-point plan on how the government can better support the hospitality industry during the coronavirus crisis.

The Spirits Business has compiled a list of international resources to help those in the trade who are struggling during the pandemic.