03 August 2020
As the UK government launches its new Eat Out to Help Out scheme, we have put together this simple guide on how to stay safe in restaurants. We explore the measures restaurants are taking for their customers and learn how the new scheme will work.
On the 3rd August the UK government will begin the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, where customers will be able to get 50% off their meals with a £10 maximum discount per person. It has been created to encourage customers to eat out again at restaurants and cafés following the lockdown restrictions and will apply every Monday to Wednesday until the 31st August. This discount is only available when eating inside (not take-away) and the restaurant has signed up to the new scheme. It’s easy to use – the discount will be automatically available to you at participating establishments, which are reimbursed by the government. While there is no minimum spend, you can’t claim the discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges. Many big chains, such as Starbucks and Prezzo have already signed up, but you can also check which of your local restaurants have joined up to the scheme online.
As we have heard since the beginning of the pandemic, the best ways to protect ourselves and others are by social distancing and regularly washing and sanitising our hands. In restaurants you should keep a social distance of one metre plus.
Although restaurants should provide hand sanitiser, It’s a good idea to have your own sanitiser handy. It is currently not the law to wear a mask or face covering in a restaurant when you’re consuming your meal but they are mandatory for most people when using public transport or visiting other shops in England. These same laws apply in Scotland, however wearing a mask or covering in shops is currently not mandatory in Wales or Northern Ireland. It’s a good idea to always have a mask handy just in case you need it.
The exact measures taken will vary from place to place, however restaurants will be following guidelines from the government to keep their staff and customers safe. You are likely to see staff members wearing visors and face masks and most restaurants will be reducing their capacity with increased space between tables to maintain social distancing rules. More restaurants will require you to book, and you may be asked for your name and phone number so they have a record of customers, to support the Government’s Contact Tracing Initiative. If you’re unsure about the precautions a restaurant, café or chain is taking, check their social media or website, as they often have COVID updates to explain how they are making it safer for their customers.
If you are living with a health condition or limited mobility and need some support when getting out and about, it’s important to have the right equipment to assist you. If you’re going out for the day, a radar key can be invaluable as it offers access to over 9,000 disabled toilets across the UK, so you can enjoy your day out without worrying about there being suitable facilities. If you have limited balance and need some support when walking for longer distances you may consider the benefits of a rollator. With three or four wheels, these mobility aids offer a supportive frame that can be controlled with the handle bars and brakes. Many rollators, such as the Compact Easy Rollator also include a handy bag that can hold personal items or small items of shopping as well as offering a supportive seat should you need to take a short rest.
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