Sector businesses in Wales to shut at 6pm from Friday, banned from selling alcohol: Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales have been told to close at 6pm from Friday (4 December) in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus in the lead-up to Christmas. Speaking at the Welsh government’s briefing, first minister Mark Drakeford confirmed sites could only remain open after 6pm for takeaway or delivery. They will not be able to sell any alcohol at all at any point. Pubs, bars and restaurants reopened on 9 November after the 17-day Wales-wide lockdown, and close at 10pm under current regulations. The new restrictions are the same as the “level three” system in Scotland while, in England, pubs and restaurants in tier three areas are closed, except for takeaway and delivery. Cinemas, bowling alleys and other indoor entertainment venues will have to close but non-essential retail, hairdressers, gyms and leisure centres can remain open. There is no change in the household bubble arrangements, meeting indoors and outdoors. Drakeford announced a £340m support package for hospitality businesses affected by the new regulations. He said smaller and medium-sized businesses could access up to £100,000, while larger businesses can access up to £150,000. Public Health Wales data published on Sunday (29 November) revealed there were 16 suspected covid-19 deaths and 1,004 new cases.

A Scotch egg may count as a ‘substantial meal’ in tier two pubs: Environment secretary George Eustice has said a Scotch egg could constitute a “substantial meal” so long as it was part of table service at English pubs and restaurants that will be in tier two from Wednesday (2 December). When pressed about whether a Scotch egg was a substantial meal on LBC radio on Monday (30 November), Eustice said: “This is a term that is understood very much by the restaurant trade. I think a Scotch egg probably would count as a substantial meal if there were table service and often that might be as a starter. But yes, I think it would. But this is a term that is understood in licensing since you can have the concept of a table licence for alcohol that also requires you to serve a substantial meal.” When lockdown ends on Wednesday (2 December), pubs and restaurants in tier two may offer alcohol to customers so long as it is ordered alongside a “substantial meal”.