Coronavirus has forced the government to announce a raft of new, stricter measures in the UK, as Boris Johnson has announced pubs and other eating and drinking establishments will close. The new measures seek to delay COVID – ‘s spread throughout the country, and come on top of the previous rules the Prime Minister instituted earlier this week.
Are all pubs closing in the UK?
The Prime Minister has told cafes, pubs, clubs, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, cinemas, gyms and leisure centers to close due to COVID – .
The latest measures will mean they can no longer recieve customers in their doors, but they can still provide services such as takeaway. They come into effect from tonight and apply across the country. READ MORE: Coronavirus symptoms: Can you catch the same virus twice?
Pubs to close: Are all pubs closing in UK? Will pubs close tonight? (Image: GETTY)
) Pubs to close: Boris Johnson said new measures were vital to reduce social gatherings (Image: GETTY)
The Prime Minister did not reveal how long the new restrictions would be in place, but said they would be subject to review.
Government officials will assess the situation every month, and decide whether it is time to relax the measures taken.
Restaurant and pub owners have long-feared a government ban would come into place, as it would potentially spell a death knell for hundreds of venues, with thousands of people possibly losing their jobs.
Amongst the objectors was Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin, who told Sky News he aimed to keep his company branches open.
Pubs to close: Pubs will close with immediate effect today (Image: GETTY)
Mr Martin said: “Our aim is for pubs open for the duration.
” This could go on for a long time.
“I think that once you shut them down it’s very difficult.
” Supermarkets are very, very crowded. Pubs are much less crowded. “
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Pubs to close: Rishi Sunak announced bold new measures to support UK workers (Image: GETTY)
“There’s hardly been any transmission of the virus w ithin pubs and I think it’s over the top to shut them.
“That’s a commercial view but also a common-sense view.”
Hospitality industry leaders fears of job losses may be temporarily quashed thanks to new government initiatives, however.
The government announced today it would step in and provide salaries to people in danger of losing their jobs due to the virus.
” We’re setting up a new coronavirus job retention scheme .
“Any employer in the country small or large, charitable or non-profit, will be eligible for the scheme.
” Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £ 2, 867 a month – that’s just above the median income. “
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