Keeping workers and customers safe during COVID-19 in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services

The UK is currently experiencing a public health emergencyas a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is criticalthat businesses take a range of measures to keep everyonesafe. This document is to help you understand how to worksafely and keep your customers safe during this pandemic,ensuring as many people as possible comply with socialdistancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where2m is not viable, is acceptable). We hope it givesyou freedom within a practical framework to think aboutwhat you need to do to continue, or restart, operationsduring the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand howimportant it is that you can work safely and support yourworkers’ and customers’ health and wellbeing during theCOVID-19 pandemic and not contribute to the spread of thevirus.

We know that many of these businesses are currentlyclosed, by government regulation, for their usual service -this guidance will be useful for those businesses as theydevelop new ways of working or to help prepare for the timewhen they are able to reopen. The government is clear thatworkers should not be forced into an unsafe workplace andthe health and safety of workers and customers, and publichealth, should not be put at risk.

This document sets out guidance on how to open workplaces safely while minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19. It gives practical considerations of how this can be applied in the workplace.