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.

I’ve just looked it up and it is now law for supermarket workers to wear masks unless exempt so perhaps the servers in the pub only have to wear them indoors as PP suggested.

Wouldn’t bother me particularly.
Maybe they are mask exempt

Wouldn't bother me, but then my view on masks is that we all need to stop wearing them. (Obviously after guidance/rules change, if someone feels more comfortable wearing one, their choice that's fine. But I can't wait to ditch my mask).

When I went they were wearing them when going inside but sometimes taking them off when outside.

@Deux

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

Thank you, this is great news

@whensmynexthol1day

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

Perhaps not in the U.K., but there are cases from abroad where transmission has occurred outside. It’s less likely but not impossible.

Anyone serving food ought to be wearing a mask whether they are inside or out. And there are some interesting definitions of ‘outside’ going on around here.

@whensmynexthol1day

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

Thank you

@99victoria

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 agree.

This wouldn't bother me at all.

Can't wait for all this to go the way of the Dodo bird.

I would expect masks, yes. Whether it is legally required I don;t know, but clearly given we are trying to get ourselves out of this bastard mess then I would expect businesses to be doing the smaller things that help.

Low cases are great - we have to keep them there. Masks are one piece of the jigsaw.

I think the risk is transmission between staff rather than from staff to customers.

Wouldn't bother me at all. Agree with others it doesn't sound like you're ready to go out.

I think I would expect those serving food and drink to wear masks, yes. When you think how many people they are in daily contact with (other staff plus customers) then I think it would be sensible.

no one should have to wear a mask outside in any circumstances

Everywhere I’ve been for food/drinks in the past couple of weeks the servers have been wearing masks outside.
I’d rather they didn’t, they look so hot and uncomfortable. It’s already hard physical work for them doing mainly table service, must be shit doing a long shift in a mask.
And outside transmission is vanishingly low of course, and masks need to be used properly to be effective, so it’s just performance really.

They shouldn't be customer facing if they can't wear a face covering. You can complain to your environmental health team.

Yay. Tell me which pub and I'll be there like a shot

www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery#takeaways-2-3

By law, staff and customers of venues that provide food and drink are required to wear a face covering indoors, unless they have an exemption. By law, all businesses must remind customers and staff to wear a face covering where required (for example, by displaying posters or providing verbal reminders). Customers are expected to wear a face covering before entering any of these settings, including to use the toilet or make payment, and must keep it on until they leave unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it. Customers and staff may also choose to wear a face covering outdoors at the venue.

I thought exactly the same when I went out for a coffee the offer day. I’d either expect masks to be worn or at least 1 meter distance to be kept. I didn’t feel comfortable with mask less servers leaning very close to us over our table to pass drinks to us.

@Northernsoullover

They shouldn't be customer facing if they can't wear a face covering. You can complain to your environmental health team.

Oh yes, brilliant idea. Let's go out of our way to penalise a business that has been forced to close its doors for month on end.

I'd bloody love it!

For Gods sake, if it bothers you, don’t go there. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. Some people are going to be heartbroken when all this is over aren’t they?

My son is a waiter at a pub. He wears a mask.

@GlencoraP

My son is a waiter at a pub. He wears a mask.

Yes, lots do. Some don’t.

@whensmynexthol1day

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

That's interesting, I hadn't heard that but have thought it to be the case all along

However, indepedent sage are clearly not posters here as over the past year I've read many posters who are certain that they or someone they know caught covid outside.

Perhaps the bonkers threads like the one the other day about strangers looking at the baby can now stop.

@Northernsoullover

They shouldn't be customer facing if they can't wear a face covering. You can complain to your environmental health team.

There is nothing that says they legally need to wear a mask outdoors