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The manager of a leading hotel says it will continue with many Covid safety features – even if restrictions are formally eased on July 19.
As the government today prepares to confirm the end of social distancing, scrapping restrictions on the size of gatherings and the wearing of face masks, a lot of hospitality venues say many of the steps they have taken to keep people safe will continue.
It comes after an online poll conducted by KentOnline revealed 35% of people would be put off going to a pub if table service is scrapped – while 43% said they wanted it as an option.
Neil Lomas, manager of the Best Western Clifton Hotel in Folkestone, said: "If you just get rid of all of the precautions, people will just think you're being very blasé.
"I have to think of my team. I have to look after them as well as the guests.
"We have quite a lot of youngsters who are working for us and not all of them have gone through the vaccination programme yet so they're not fully protected.
"So we will be keeping restrictions in place.
"We have a one-way system, we have screens and gels – that will remain.
"Talking to the team, most of them will carry on, voluntarily, wearing their masks because you just feel safer wearing them. I know I do.
"In environments where I where a mask now, I will continue to wear one post July 19."
His views are shared, at least in part, by Jamie Clark, co-manager of the Dead Pigeon pub in Rochester.
He added: "There will still be some people, even when restrictions are eased, who are going to be cautious about venturing out.
"It's harder in a pub because people do move about more, so I think people will be worried wherever they go.
"But if it makes people feel easier if our staff are wearing masks then we'll continue to do so.
"People will still come out with masks and people will still take precautions.
"If we get visitors with no mask, once rules are relaxed, then that will be fine too. I think we'll have a mixed bag."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to confirm today that what has been dubbed 'Freedom Day' on July 19 will be going ahead – despite an increasing number of cases in the UK.
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