Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reasons there will be a requirement when hospitality businesses reopen as covid-19 lockdown measures are eased that food and drinks must be ordered when seated in licensed premises serving alcohol in indoor and outdoor settings whereas in premises not serving alcohol customers will be able to order at the counter.

As set out in ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’, the step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England published on 22 February, customers in hospitality premises serving alcohol permitted to open at steps 1-3 will be required to order, eat and drink when seated (‘table service’). This is to reduce the risk of transmission. Social distancing restrictions, including those affecting the hospitality sector, will be reviewed ahead of step 4.