Servers at pub not wearing masks - is this ok?

[Catyness]

I've been to 2 pubs now since they've re-opened outside. I was surprised last night that the servers/waiters weren't wearing any type of face covering. They stood around 1m away to take the order then would be right at the table when delivering the drinks.

Is this allowed? Is this safe?

I did feel uncomfortable and won't be rushing back there I'm afraid.

Are you not all outside?
Don't normally need masks outdoors

If you don’t feel safe, stay at home

To be honest, OP, you don't sound like you're ready to be out and about at a pub if you're concerned about this.

I live in a big city in the south of England - population of 280 000. We currently have 45 active cases of the virus here!

I'm pretty chilled but I would one hundred percent expect them to be masked! They're then going inside and standing next to each other without masks.

45 active cases can very quickly become thousands - HOW CAN NO ONE STILL NOT UNDERSTAND THIS

I do understand it - NO NEED TO SHOUT!

It just doesn't particularly work as an argument as presumably one case could VERY QUICKLY BECOME THOUSANDS TOO! So, are you suggesting we keep all the Coronavirus rules in place until there are zero cases? (and then keep our borders shut etc so no-one can ever bring in another case EVER EVER)

Anyone serving food or drink should absolutely wear a mask. Outside and inside.

I would expect a face covering.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

I’d wonder what other hygiene corners they were cutting.

They are at my local, but it wouldn't bother me if they weren't, cases are very low and also we are outside.

They also may have exemptions.

Not too bothered personally but I’d expect staff to wear face coverings until the guidance changes.

There is no point wearing a mask outside other than to tick some box.

I wouldn't expect them to outside

I would expect it but wouldn't be massively bothered if they weren't when dining outside.

To be honest, OP, you don't sound like you're ready to be out and about at a pub if you're concerned about this

This!

I think people serving food and drink should be wearing face coverings, regardless of whether it’s inside or outside.

If it helps OP, the UK is quite close to herd immunity according to Kings College/Zoe Study.

Maybe stay at home.

Another anxious poster?
Stay at home then.

I'm happy for things to move on. I can't wait to eat inside and have friends round, inside.
Recent evidence shows masks aren't actually very effective anyway.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. You are outside. Would you insist that friends/family sitting in your garden wear masks too? After all, you would be sat near them for a lot longer than the less than a minute or so it takes to have your order taken in a pub garden.

They should be inside but no requirement outside - did they have masks on them and were they going indoors

"Recent evidence shows masks aren't actually very effective anyway."

This! Unsurprising really since most of Europe have been wearing masks inside and out since last summer and it hardly seems to have helped them out, does it?

A member of sage said last week on radio 4 that not a single case of the virus could be linked to outside contact. So I reckon the risk is less than minuscule

Staff often wear masks outside because they are going in and out of a building, which possibly has pinch points such as corridors, and it would be a nuisance for them to replace their mask each time to go inside whilst they are carrying trays of drinks. But the masks would mainly to protect the staff inside their workplace rather than to protect the public who are sat outside.

I think they should wear face masks but didn’t think it was law for workers to wear a face mask in this situation just like supermarket workers and other workers are not all wearing masks but people entering the premises should be masked.

Slightly off topic but I work in a school and hand out the hot meals to my class each lunchtime indoors. We are all unmasked as not allowed face coverings in class (directive from head teacher but backed up by government schools guidance.) The school catering team are also all unmasked when they serve the meals to adults too. I personally disagree with this but have been told no masks.

Perhaps in the pub / restaurant staff can choose whether to wear a mask or not but customers must have them?