Sector expresses outrage over hospitality transmission ‘evidence’: Sector bosses have lambasted the government’s “evidence” over the transmission of covid-19 in the hospitality sector. The data, released on Friday (27 November), said there were “four types of evidence currently available to understand where transmission is occurring; each has limitations, but they are consistent in supporting the view hospitality venues are a significant risk for transmission”. The report’s overview stated: “Transmission risk is a combination of environmental and behavioural factors: higher risk contacts are those that are close, prolonged, indoors, face-to-face, in poorly ventilated and/or crowded spaces, or involve ‘loud’ activities. These are all prevalent in the hospitality sector (but not unique to it). The effects of alcohol are likely to exacerbate difficulties with social distancing. The general picture in the UK (and overseas) is it has only been possible to get R consistently below one in places where there have been substantial restrictions on hospitality. All other interventions were followed by a more mixed picture. Data from epidemiological analysis of outbreaks in Japan, China, South Korea, and Indonesia noted their largest superspreading events originated from pubs, clubs, restaurants, gyms and wedding venues. Case-control and other association studies have found significant associations between hospitality and infection.” But operators are furious at the restrictions being placed on their businesses over “four bullet points of assumptions”. Chris Soley, chief executive of Camerons Brewery, the north east-based brewer and pub operator, tweeted: “This is not evidence of covid transmissions happening in well invested safe and secure pubs. Absolutely pathetic from the government. This is anecdotal at best but has no scientific proof or basis.” Tim Foster, co-founder of four-strong Yummy Pub Co, tweeted: “This is an absolute disgrace. The UK hospitality sector is world class, it cannot be compared to these countries. Hong Kong?? Has anyone actually been into a bar in Hong Kong?? They are tiny! This is not evidence. This is four bullet points of assumptions.” Campaign for Real Ale chairman Nik Antona said: “The research doesn’t consider the mitigating measures that have been introduced by pubs in the past few months such as improving ventilation and social distancing. Furthermore, the government has yet to provide evidence the requirement to serve a ‘substantial meal’ will reduce transmission or any concrete evidence the responsible consumption of alcohol increases risk. We are now urging the government to review the restrictions across tiers to allow wet-led pubs to reopen in tier two and ensure all affected pubs are provided with a substantial financial support package to get through the crisis.”

Richard Caring – the government has turned its incompetence against the hospitality sector: Restaurateur Richard Caring has claimed the government’s new tier system is a death sentence for the hospitality sector. Caring, who owns chains including The Ivy and Bill’s, believes more than two thirds of the industry has been so mauled by lockdowns that it will never recover. He told The Mail: “This government bounces off one wall onto another, its inexperience and inefficiencies are shown clearly in the manner it has handled this awful pandemic so far. It has turned both its inexperience and inefficiency against the hospitality industry of this country. Already, what was the second largest industry in this country has been permanently decimated by at least 35%, never to return.” Caring singled out as particularly vulnerable the cities of Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol, “where the hospitality industry, hanging on by its fingernails, was hoping to be able to make some income in its most busy weeks of the year”. The cities Caring mentions have all been placed into tier three, meaning they will effectively transition into lockdown by another name on Wednesday (2 December). He warned “survival through January/February will be a nightmare as the first quarter of the year is always the toughest”. He said: “For those unfortunate employees on furlough, I dread to think how many hundreds of thousands are now effectively unemployed.” The tier restrictions are anticipated to last until at least April and, according to a dossier from the Treasury watchdog, could run into the middle of next year. Caring asked: “Why is this country the one that’s economy will suffer the worst? Why does this country have one of the worst covid deaths per capita in the world? As far as hospitality goes and the government’s present comprehension, the death knell will only get louder.”