The hospitality industry is now able to start opening up again within England

FOR those within the hospitality industry, the 12 April 2021 could not have come sooner as both pubs and restaurants started to open. The good weather made opening outdoors better than many expected, but it is only step 2 of the Government's 'roadmap' out of lockdown. It will not be any earlier than 17 May 2021 that pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open indoors. But, with events starting up again and pubs and restaurants serving customers outdoor service, it has sparked a new debate.. Following this Lockdown there are a few notable differences that have been announced by the Prime Minister, with the main being all guests will be required to:- "check in" each time they visit a pub. Also, now many of us are getting vaccinated as well, plus their growing intolerant of restrictions in the UK. Understandably, this has lead to many questions about how we can keep the nation reasonable, but ease up the restrictions as quickly as we can. This has lead to many headlines about NHS Track and Trace App being looked at for use as a type of 'Vaccine Passport' or test result proof system as a way of keeping us all safe. On paper this sounds good, but in reality, it has highlighted a growing technological divide. For some, their is a growing worry they might find themselves excluded as they don't have a mobile phone that can run the Apps. This issue means if a Vaccine Passport is introduced in the UK for hospitality and entertainment to use, it must have a non-technological approach as well. Currently the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is currently developing the:- "Yellow Vaccine Passport" taking its name from the Yellow Fever certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP) This will be a new digital tool that will store your Coronavirus test results and proof of vaccination from a lab when you travel outside the UK, but many point out it will also need to have a physical certificate people can use, just like the old Yellow Card of the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. The worry is, the drive to get technology will result in the physical certificate being over looked. So what are your views on this? Should apps be made compulsory to use in the UK? If so, who will fund all those who need to get new phones and phone contracts to use it? What will the ecological result be, as many will have to bin phones and get new ones, considering the already growing issue of masks alone this could be very problematic...? Please email us your thoughts on this to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Since 12 April: 2021, in England, you are now allowed to:-

1. Reopen some non-essential retail.

2. Personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting.

3. Public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen.

4. Outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only.

5. Most outdoor attractions including:- zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen.

6. Some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place.

7. Indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household, or support bubble.

8. All childcare and supervised activities are allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)

9. Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes, and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens.

10. Self contained accommodation can stay open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble.

11. Care home residents will be able to nominate 2 named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)

12. You should continue to work from home if you can and minimize the amount that you travel where possible.