Pub bans under-25s for ‘refusing to adhere to any social distancing rules’
A pub has banned drinkers aged under 25 for “refusing to adhere to any social distancing rules”.
Pubs and restaurants were allowed to reopen on “Super Saturday” when lockdown restrictions were lifted, but pictures from around the country showed some people were getting too close to each other.
The Royal Standard in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, has now decided things will run much smoother if younger people are not allowed to enter after 8pm.
Landlord David Haines said he had been forced to ban under-25s because they arrived in an "unprecedented number" and placed older customers and staff at risk.
He told the BBC: “They start off fine but then it goes out the window.”
Haines added: “In spite of how many times you ask them to sit in groups of six, it goes out the window. It was impossible to control.
“We've got a greater duty to our customers and our staff.
“We apologise to those of you who are affected and we will review this decision periodically.”
The landlord said staff were having trouble getting young people to follow safety procedures, including sitting at least a metre away on tables inside.
Facebook users praised Haines when he posted the ban on Tuesday, with one person thanking him for taking a stand.
John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation, was on duty in Southampton on Saturday and said it was “crystal clear” drinkers had not kept to social distancing rules.
Despite footage and pictures showing crowds gathering, police said most people were well-behaved.
Boris Johnson had warned on Friday the country was not out of the woods yet and he would not hesitate “putting on the brakes and re-imposing restrictions” in event of an outbreak.
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