Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason table service is currently required in pubs.

The Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies have advised that ‘the disinhibitory effects of alcohol are likely to exacerbate difficulties with social distancing’. As a result, we are requiring table service for a range of venues that serve alcohol, including pubs, to reduce the likelihood of individuals attending these premises coming into close contact and reduce the transmission risk.