World News – GB – Wetherspoons attacks government because ‘pubs are treated harder than supermarkets

The chairman said it was unfair that pubs were treated harder than supermarkets as he revealed a pre-tax loss of £ 105million this year amid new level restrictions two more stringent in large parts of England from Saturday

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Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has renewed his attack on the government, saying the UK should embrace the Swedish model of pandemics to allow its pubs to reopen properly

It comes after UK Hospitality, the body of the pub and restaurant industry, warned that more than 250,000 jobs would be created in the capital as new level 2 restrictions take effect at midnight

Releasing the company’s delayed results, the chairman said it was unfair that pubs were treated harder than supermarkets, as he revealed sales fell by £ 182 billion to 1 £ 26 billion in the year through July 26 and the chain suffered a pre-tax loss of 105 £ 4 million

Tim Martin, quoting business son Warren Buffett from 1989, said governments around the world based their foreclosure decisions on « deeply flawed analysis »

During an attack on Boris Johnson’s lockdown measures, he said: « It appears the government and its advisers were clearly uncomfortable as the country emerged from lockdown »

« They introduced, without consultation, under emergency powers, a constantly evolving set of ill-thought-out regulations – they are extremely difficult for the public and publicans to understand and enforce. None of the new regulations appear have a clear scientific basis

« For example, a table service requirement was introduced – which is costly to implement and undermines the essential nature of pubs for many people – pubs have now become like restaurants. approach the cashier in a store, but not in a pub – which is by no means «  scientific  »

« Contrary to the consistency of the relatively successful Swedish approach, which emphasizes social distancing, hygiene and public trust, the erratic UK government is leaping from pillar to post and tightening and reworking regulations are now in virtual lockdown, producing visibly worse results than Sweden’s, both in terms of health and the economy « 

« In addition, face coverings, for which the health benefits are questionable, do not need to be worn seated, but must be worn when going to the bathroom – another capricious regulation, » said declared Martin

The hospitality sector has been one of the worst hit by the pandemic and many companies cut jobs as the current holiday program ends at the end of October

Advertising group Marston’s announced on Thursday it would cut up to 2,150 jobs on leave following new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus

The company said that since July 4 it has reopened 99% of its pubs and « consumer confidence has increased steadily in July, August and September »

However, he said new restrictions such as the 10pm curfew, table service and the closure of pubs in parts of Scotland had sapped consumer confidence

Greene King, who owns nearly 1,700 pubs in Britain, also launched a consultation with 800 employees on plans to close 79 branches

Official UK government guidelines say evidence for wearing a face mask suggests it « does not protect you » from coronavirus

But the advice adds: « If you are infected but have not yet developed any symptoms, it may offer some protection to other people with whom you are in close contact »

Cambridge University study says even basic homemade masks can reduce transmission – and may even help prevent a second wave

He said population-wide use of masks would keep COVID-19 reproduction number (R-rate) below one

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The early closure of pubs, bars and restaurants was introduced following an increase in coronavirus cases in England

« Anywhere you have people crowded, for example concert halls, cruise ships, house parties, bars and pubs, you risk spreading a virus, » Dr Julian Tang said , professor of respiratory sciences at the University of Leicester

If people are sitting next to each other talking without a mask or cover, it can maximize the amount of sputum droplets transferred between people, ”he added.

His research also highlights the potential risk if the virus is thrown into the air while breathing and speaking, where it stays suspended and can then be inhaled by others

Evidence from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has highlighted places where alcohol is a significant risk

« Small gatherings such as bars and nightclubs pose a higher risk because you may be in closer contact with others, » warns a February 11 report

The Test and Trace system aims to trace the places visited in the week before the onset of symptoms of the coronavirus

Of the 87,128 events that people said they attended and in which there was contact between August 10 and September 24:

This data only highlights the places people went before they caught the virus, but it might not be where they caught it

Wetherspoons, Tim Martin, Coronavirus