On Tuesday 22nd September 2020, the UK government announced a new set of social distancing guidelines. These measures have now been implemented as of the 24th September throughout the country, and some are already pointing to potential devastation for the leisure, hospitality and entertainment industries – including bingo halls, unfortunately.
We’ve already seen several changes in social distancing guidelines throughout the year due to the pandemic – especially within entertainment venues – and some measures have even lead to several bingo halls closing their doors for good. It’s no real secret that the live bingo industry has already suffered in recent years due to the rise in online bingo and also the UK smoking ban etc, but 2020 in particular has dealt some pretty obvious and somewhat brutal blows.
The leisure and entertainment industry can only survive with paying customers and constant turnover, so what will the newest changes mean for surviving venues now moving forward? There’s nothing yet suggesting that we can’t all still get out and about and enjoy things like restaurants, pubs and clubs etc, but with the new restrictions in place – plus the recent rise in Covid-19 cases – some people might now feel discouraged to do so…
How Will New Social Distancing Guidelines Affect Bingo Halls From September Onwards?
When the UK bingo hall industry opened its doors once again throughout July and August earlier this year, players did return slowly, but with some obvious and valid hesitation.
We have never experienced an entire global lockdown throughout history, so it was only natural that people were slightly cautious to get back to a so called ‘normal’.
Clubs and halls did open up however, with lots of new social distancing measures in place – and from my personal experience and visits, they were extremely well implemented.
This was of course before all the latest rules and regulations were put into place however, so how will things change now for the bingo industry moving forward?
New Government Guidelines For Leisure And Entertainment Venues
Some of the new social distancing measures that may affect the live bingo business include the following:
- 2-Metre Rule Is Back – The recent ‘1 metre rule’ has now been changed back to 2 metres once again. This could mean that less patrons are allowed on any site at one time, plus less staff, tables, service, games etc too.
- Mandatory Face Coverings – This measure was temporarily implemented into some bingo halls back in August, however it is now required by law that all customers and staff must wear them at all times – with large fines for those who don’t comply.
- 10pm Close – All leisure venues must now be closed by 10pm, and no club, pub, casino or bingo hall etc may operate between the hours of 10pm and 5am by law.
- Table Service – Any food and drink is now only available by table service.
- NHS QR Code – All venues must now display the official NHS ‘check in’ posters.
- Rule Of 6 – The new rule of 6 means that there can be no more than 6 people interacting in close proximity at any given time.
- Local Interventions – Households and social bubbles cannot mix if a local lockdown has been implemented.
Will Bingo Halls Close Under A Second Lockdown?
The truthful answer to this is, well – who knows?
Things are changing rapidly each day at the moment, but hopefully the current measures might help to prevent a full lockdown from happening again. Businesses up and down the country are doing all they can to comply by these new rules, as the last thing they want now is to lose custom yet again.
Essentially, what we all want now as a nation is for the rise in Covid-19 cases to slow down and to avoid a second wave of the virus – but I guess only time will tell if these new measures are strong enough to help that…