In all seriousness, if alcohol is the issue, then why not just ban the sale of that for consumption on the premises?
Tbh I think the main issue there would be enforcement, especially in the more "local" pubs!
How can a travel ban from one part of England to another be enforced? I'm interested because I'm due to lead a walking club holiday from Southport (in the Merseyside city region) to North Devon on the 26th. I sent all tickets, luggage labels, Covid guidance and itineraries out on Friday (22 letters). If our coach firm (Alfa) says it has to cancel because of government panic, that will be the second holiday, each costing nearly £8000, this year, for which I have had to refund 36 passengers. For the first one, the cash refunds and credit notes came in 5 or 6 weeks. This time I will insist on cash, as most of those who took credit notes for the cancelled April holiday in mid-Wales eventually cashed them in.
I'm going to be pretty blunt - did you really book that without considering what may happen if circumstances change?
I appreciate it isn't a nice position to be in, but it has been pretty obvious to me that any trip booked atm is basically being booked under risk of having to be cancelled.
Please don't take this as an attack or me having a go, but I booked a trip also to North Devon for the start of September, with the full understanding and slight expectation that it could be cancelled. Thankfully it wasn't, but I was prepared for that situation to happen (and to potentially lose the money along with the cancellation).
Ignoring government restrictions for a second - surely it could have easily been yourself and anyone else involved in leading / organising the trip needing to self isolate that would have caused issues with the trip too?
I wouldn't know. I have not been to the pub since this all started but apparently the atmosphere just is not the same so I guess rather quiet.
I've not either, and my local pub only opened last Thursday so unlikely to last a week.
I feel guilty not going in supporting them, but the atmosphere would definitely not be same plus I cannot sit or stand at the bar- my usual haunt with friends. Table service only so I could be stuck on my own or near someone I'd rather not.
I guess it depends on your pub of choice and what your normal is usually like there!
I've been to a few different pubs with some friends over the last 2 months and the vast majority still did have a good atmosphere! Sure quieter than normal, but still fun with some friends. Granted I can see that if you are usually the type the sit at the bar etc then the current situation may well take away the enjoyment! And some pubs certainly are managing the whole situation better than others atm - there certainly is a balance to be found with the restrictions.