London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Every customer must sign in when pubs reopen

Every customer must sign in when pubs reopen

New rules to help pubs, cafes and restaurants reopen outdoors safely in England on 12 April have sparked anger from industry groups.

All customers will have to sign in on entry, not just one member of the group like before. It is also unclear whether payment at the bar will be permitted.

UK Hospitality said it would burden struggling pubs and staff and risk customers deciding not to go out.

The government said it was providing as much flexibility as possible to venues.

It also said it had removed other unpopular requirements such as drinking curfews.

Under the new guidance, every customer aged 16 and over will have to check in to NHS test and trace before entering a venue, or give their contact details to staff.

Pubs and restaurants must take "reasonable steps" to stop people who won't comply from coming in, or they could face a £1,000 fine.

Carl Ford does not like the new rules

Carl Ford, an accountant based in Tamworth, told the BBC he was frustrated and confused by the rules.

"I feel like it's almost like going back to school where I have to sign in and out," he said.

"I don't understand why I have to do this in a restaurant or pub, but I don't need to do this in a supermarket where you have a free for all. People don't have to sign in and they can pick up fruit with their hands."

Others were supportive of the idea, however, saying it could reduce transmission.

'Discriminatory'


In a joint statement, UK Hospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association and the British Institute of Innkeeping said the rules would add "more confusion and inconvenience for customers and staff".

They also warned if indoors payments were not permitted from 12 April, then some pubs, particularly in rural areas with poor broadband, would be unable to take payments at all.

With the government also considering whether "proof of immunity" should be a requirement for entry, the groups warned that "millions" of people could be put off going to pubs and venues at a time when the hospitality industry is struggling.

"Pubs will already be trading at a loss when they reopen with all the existing restrictions and Covid-secure measures in place," they said.

"Adding further disproportionate and discriminatory measures threatens the very survival of thousands of businesses."


Hospitality businesses have been hit particularly hard by lockdown closures and restrictions.

In the year to February, 368,000 payroll jobs were lost in the accommodation and food service sectors. The next worst hit sector was retail where 123,000 jobs were lost.

A government spokeswoman said: "Public health rules are kept under constant review and we are providing as much flexibility for pubs and other hospitality businesses as possible.

"The roadmap [to reopening] set out that hospitality would open from step two, and removed any requirements for curfews or a substantial meal for customers."

She said no final decisions had been taken on whether Covid-status certification could play a role in reopening the economy.

She added that the government continued to support the hospitality sector through the pandemic with its new £5bn Restart Grant scheme, the VAT cut, business rates relief, and by extending furlough.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×