Go home. When the pubs shut their doors at 10pm on Saturday night, go home.
That’s the simple message for drinkers enjoying Plymouth’s great pubs and bars this weekend, whatever their age and wherever they live.
Pubs, bars and restaurants by law now have to shut their doors at 10pm with last orders at 9.30pm.They can only operate table service only.
When you arrive at pubs, bars and restaurants, you must check in - it is the law. The quickest and easiest way to do this is by downloading the NHS track and trace app and scan the QR code as you go in.
- There are also restrictions on what happens after hours.
- If you get a taxi you must wear a face covering
- If you want a takeaway, it’s delivery only after 10pm as their premises close to customers at 10pm
- You are not allowed to socialise if there are more than six people in your group - so a party in a house of more than six people is against the law
The new restrictions are all aimed at tackling the worrying rise in COVID-19 cases and given the scale of the changes, it’s been an all-out effort from the licensing trade, businesses, the Council and Devon and Cornwall Police to adjust to the measures.
The Council and Police are gearing themselves up for an evening of reminding, explaining and enforcing as people get used to more changes. Plymouth Retail Against Crime rangers will add boots on the ground on the Barbican, the city centre as well as North Hill and Mutley to enable people to socialise safely.
Over the last week the Council’s public protection team have been visiting businesses - today they are in North Hill and Mutley - to explain how the new track and trace app works as well as talk to pubs and restaurant staff so that they understand how the latest measures affect their business.
Housing landlords across the city have been written to reminding them of their responsibilities to ensure tenants obey the law together with a run down on what the new laws are:
• The rule of six - no one is allowed to hang out in groups larger than six - indoors or outside
• Follow social distancing rules - maintain two metre distance wherever possible or one metre if you are wearing a face covering
• If there are more than six people sharing a property that is classed as a single household and a bubble, they are allowed to socialise
With the return of thousands of students, the Council and the police have been working with University of Plymouth, Marjons and Plymouth College of Art on their response to Covid-19.
All the organisations have set up senior level taskforces to ensure issues such as safety controls including social distancing, hygiene and cleaning measures, specific planning around international students and accommodation.
They have produced risk assessments and relevant protocols to respond to suspected and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and have all issued guidance to students about how to stay safe in their accommodation, on campus and when out and about in the city.
Plymouth’s council leader Tudor Evans, who is the chair of local outbreak engagement board said: “These are extraordinary measures for extraordinary times and we appreciate that these take some getting used to.
“House parties could mean penalties - it’s now against the law to have more than six people mingling in a house or outside. So no popping over to other people’s houses for a pint or a pinot, you could be fined £200 if you break the rule of six.
“While the measures have got complex, the message to all to help keep us safe is:
- Hands - wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer regularly
- Face - cover your face. Masks or coverings reduce likelihood of you spreading the virus if you have it
- Space - maintain two metre distance wherever possible or one metre if you are wearing a face covering.”