BUSINESS owners in the hospitality sector are being invited to learn more about how to reopen safely as lockdown continues to be eased.

A webinar, held by Cheshire West and Chester Council, is taking place on at 10.30am on Tuesday, March 30, and will run through the legal requirements as well as what to do following an outbreak.

Restaurants, pubs and cafés will be able to serve customers outside from April 12, with indoor hospitality to reopen from May 17.

There will be no need for customers to buy a substantial meal with an alcoholic drink and no curfew, however they must order, eat and drink while seated.

And for those businesses wanting a refresher ahead of reopening, the webinar topics include:

  • rules on face coverings
  • collecting customer contact details
  • the 'rule of six'
  • social distancing
  • hygiene and looking after staff facilities, toilets

There will also be information about what to do if a member of staff tests positive for Covid-19 and a toolkit to help the employer through managing an outbreak.

This covers employee testing, business contact tracing, self-isolation advice and information on financial support for people self-isolating.

Ian Ashworth, director of public health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “It really is good news we’ve got Covid-19 infections down to the point where we can look at helping our hospitality sector to reopen safely.

“If you do own or manage hospitality premises in the borough it’s really important that you find out all you can so that you can look after your staff and customers and play your part in keeping that infection rate down.”

Maria Byrne, the council's director of environment and communities, said: “We appreciate what a difficult time businesses have had since last year and want to help where we can.

“This webinar will cover everything you need to know in terms of the legal requirements and provide some really useful tools to help you navigate what you need to do to stay safe.”

The webcast will be streamed live, but will be available to watch again later. For more information visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/hospitalitywebinar

Anyone who would like to ask a question before or during the webinar can email: regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

For more information about support available for businesses, including contact tracing resources and advice on restrictions, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus