Covid 19 - Letter from Secretary of State Robert Jenrick to Local Authorities

Without doubt this week has been a long, tough and exciting one for all involved in hospitality with Step 2 activated and the ability to trade outside. The hard work undertaken by hospitality is mirrored in local authorities where officers have been required to digest the legislation, filter the complaints and make many visits to many many sites and engage with operators.

This afternoon Secretary of State Robert Jenrick issued a letter to local authorities: Letter from Secretary of State Robert Jenrick to local authorities on government measures to support hospitality businesses to reopen safely.

Jenrick thanks those who work in the local authorities. However, much of the content is a request to adopt a common sense approach and support hospitality in this step out of lockdown, stating:

“I would encourage you all to ensure that this guidance is applied proportionately and consistently in your areas to support businesses to reopen safely and to avoid overzealous interpretations of the rules. It is in the public interest that local residents can socialise in a licensed and controlled environment outside, where Covid-19 risks are lower. If a disproportionate regulatory approach is taken, it risks driving residents into unregulated activity and premises which may be far less covidsecure and/or illegal.”

There is also confirmation that the dispensations issued by Jenrick are to be extended to listed buildings and historic visitor attractions from the 16^th April. See the letter for full details.

Jenrick concludes the letter with a call to arms to support those on the hospitality front line who are trying hard to comply and thereby, through their business success of their business maintain the employment of so many.

“We need your support to ensure the measures are known, made use of and not impeded unnecessarily – jobs and enterprises depend on it. I would urge you to show pragmatism and proportionality at all times, doing everything you can to help businesses prosper again.”