UKHospitality has welcomed confirmation of the reopening dates for Welsh hospitality but sounded a note of caution over the relatively late date for indoor hospitality.
First Minister Mark Drakeford today confirmed:
- Indoor hospitality will open from Monday 3 August if conditions allow
- Outdoor hospitality will open from 13 July
- The two-metre rule remains businesses where social distancing is crucial to revenues will be permitted to operate at less than two metres with mitigations
- Self-contained accommodation will open from 11 July
- Indoor attractions (not underground attractions) to open on July 13
- Camping and additional similar accommodation open from 25 July conditions allow.
Commenting on the announcement, UKHospitality Executive Director for Wales, David Chapman said: “This is a vital move and one that the industry has been desperate to hear. The August period accounts for a substantial portion of annual revenue and the immediate sustainability of many of our businesses will depend on this reopening being successful.
“That being the case, we are asking Welsh Government to consider, if the health climate allows, reopening three days earlier on Friday 31st to enable a full August of bookings for the sector. We have offered to work with Ministers to develop final indoor opening guidelines to ensure a safe enabling of the delivery of either opening date.”