Most COVID-19 infections appear to take place in private households say researchers and not in the regulated environment of hospitality
The Institute of Economic Affairs research released today appears to show Government plans to shut hospitality to control the Coronavirus are flawed
Less than five per cent of infected individuals contacted by NHS Test and Trace say that they have had close contact with another person in a hospitality venue
While enforced pub closures in Bolton and Leicester have not been associated with a decline in transmission of COVID-19, nor has the 10pm ‘curfew’ led to a decline in new infections nationwide.
Instead they say that it is likely that a shutdown of the pub sector will lead to a further increase in unregulated private gatherings where transmission of the virus is easier.
The strengthening and effective enforcement of proven preventive measures should be used to help stem the spread of COVID-19, not new lockdowns and restrictions they add
Christopher Snowdon, IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics, said:
“The hospitality sector is Britain’s third biggest employer and the social benefits of pubs and restaurants are immense. The government should only consider shutting them down again if the evidence is overwhelming. In fact, the evidence that pubs are a significant source of COVID-19 transmission is very weak.
“The curfew has been counter-productive. Pubs and restaurants are highly regulated environments. Shutting them down again is likely to make the situation worse.”
