Woman claims ‘very little being done’ to keep customers safe at some Sheffield pubs

Victoria Shortland has been out to eat at a number different establishments in Sheffield since the lockdown restrictions were lifted and has experienced varying adherance to guidelines around test and trace and social distancing at each one.

While at some details were taken down for test and trace and social distancing guidelines were followed closely, at others there was very little being done to make sure customers were safe, she said.

And while the Government guidelines around test and trace are not law it is not compulsory for establishments to do as they say.

Mrs Shortland has called for pubs and restaurants to pay closer to attention to the Government guidelines, and follow them closely so that there is a more standard approach to test and trace across the board.

She explained: “I understand it is very hard for pubs and restaurants at the moment and they are all just trying to make a living.

"In some pubs I went in and they took our contact details and asked us to sanitise our hands, and a lot was being done to make sure customers were kept a safe distance apart.

"In these cases I felt the staff were very aware and tried their best.

"However in others I’ve been in I have seen plastic menus being used by different customers and not sanitised, and nobody was telling people to sanitise their hands.

"I saw that the tables were being sanitised but not the chairs, and when we asked about giving out details for test and trace we were told it is not compulsory and we could leave our details at the bar if we wanted to. I was quite disturbed by that really.

"I think it is up to the establishment to make sure customers are safe and follow the guidelines closely.”

At the moment the Government guidelines for hospitality businesses says that owners of the establishments “should collect details and maintain records of staff, customers and visitors on their premises to support NHS test and trace.”