PUBS will be able to show the football when they return this week – but it must be on quiet and rowdy fans have to keep their voices down.
Last week the Government issued new guidance for pubs and restaurants to stop the spread of coronavirus in venues when they return from July 4 – dubbed ‘Super Saturday’.
But the advice on whether pubs would be able to show the footie was unclear, and suggested it could be banned.
Buried in the Government’s guidance on reopening pubs and restaurants, it says that certain steps should be considered to stop the spread of the virus and prevent pubs from becoming “hotspots”.
This may include “preventing entertainment, such as broadcasts, that is likely to encourage audience behaviours increasing transmission risk”, it says.
Broadcasters have now received private assurances from Government that they will be allowed to show the matches, but it must be kept quiet.
An insider said: “Pubs and bars can show live sport but shouting and/or chanting is not permitted for the same reason that live music isn’t.
“Equally it must be played at a volume which enables normal conversation to take place.”
It means the commentary may be switched off during live games, and anyone shouting will be asked to keep it down.
The PM has also announced that social distancing will be cut from two metres to one metre from July 4 to give venues the chance to let more people in.
But gyms, nightclubs, nail salons and spas must remain closed for now as they still pose a risk to spread the virus.
Some of the other rules included to keep people safe will include:
- People are only allowed to go to the pub with one other household
- Customers will have to leave their contact details with pubs or restaurants for 21 days – so they can be tracked if there is an outbreak
- A limit on numbers inside a venue at any one time
- People should be encouraged to use contactless payments rather than cash
- Customers should stay seated at the table and wait to be served rather than going up to the bar
- Tables must be as spaced out as possible to keep a distance, and venues should be kept ventilated
But police are primed for more violence and antisocial behavior as pubs open up their doors once again.
Appearing on ITV Good Morning Britain, John Apter, the Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales warned: “We’ve had four months of pressure and frustration being built up. We’ve seen an awful lot of violence on the street, an awful lot of it aimed at police officers.
“The day that the easing of the lockdown was announced for, the 4th of July, was almost made as a celebratory type way. Almost like a public holiday, and it’s far from a public holiday.
“And for policing, policing is tough at the best of times. The easing of this lockdown, especially when you introduce alcohol and opening bars and restaurants – and if the public think like this is going to be how it was in normal times, they’re very much mistaken.
“There’s going to be significant restrictions which will create extra pressures.”
He added: “Police is encouraging the Government to choose an alternative date.
“I completely accept that with universities closed and with many people not in the workplace, even if we had on a weekday it might have not have made much of a difference, but it could have.
“On top of it all, it’s not far from payday, people will have just have been paid and it’s a full moon, which creates a whole host of other issues.”
