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 have been to a few places. Some with some not. Burg those inside had the masks.
Didn't bother me.

I feel so sorry for them having to wear face coverings. Must be really uncomfortable all day and on your feet carrying stuff etc. Sounds like the employer is enlightened enough to understand that masks outside just aren’t necessary, why put staff through that if it’s not absolutely needed. Once someone’s mask gets all sweaty and damp it’s not effective anyway.

Wouldn’t bother me one bit.

Wouldn't bother me now the cases are so low and so many have been vaccinated. I can't wait for face masks to no longer be mandatory. Think people should be able to wear them if they choose to though.

@99victoria

"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?

Bollocks

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.

Because she wants to know if pubs are following the appropriate regulations?

If the guidance says servers should wear masks, they should be doing it, no matter how cool the customers think they are by ignoring the advice, put in place to try to allow places to open without risking another lockdown if numbers spike.

@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

They have no idea how anyone was actually infected. We have had FAR too many cases for them to backwards trace to work it out.

@FFSFFSFFS

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

TBH, you aren't coming across as "pretty chilled" when you are shouting about things.

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?

Well, all these places in Europe have largely avoided a 3 month complete lockdown like the UK had over winter. Schools weren't closed, hospitals weren't overwhelmed, if they had restrictions it was for 3-4 weeks max, most businesses including restaurants and the events industry stayed open. It would've been much worse without masks and they would've probably also been in a complete lockdown like the UK was for the whole winter.

That said OP, it wouldn't bother me as I'm fairly relaxed about Covid, but if you feel uncomfortable that's perfectly fine. I would expect staff to be wearing masks too tbh, but I personally wouldn't have an issue with it if they weren't.

If they should wear a mask when putting food/drinks on your table then you should you, for their safety.

@RoseRedRoseBlue

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?

Stop posting this shit. Honestly, it's just ridiculous keep saying that people are gleeful & will be heartbroken when it's over people just want to be as safe as possible while lockdown is being lifted for their own safety & because they don't want another lockdown.

@OverTheRainbow88

If they should wear a mask when putting food/drinks on your table then you should you, for their safety.

I'd have no objection to that

However, customers are sitting down, staff are standing. Gravity.

Is this safe?

Absolutely not. Nothing in life is safe. You could trip over the kerb walking out of the pub. You could get a vanishingly rare allergic reaction to the food or drink. You could have a car accident on the way home. Best not go out, but then your roof could collapse on top of you while you're sat at home too.

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

Why are you 'afraid'? We all have the choice to patronise a business or not. Up to you. It's not of interest to anyone else.

@MintyMabel

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.

Because she wants to know if pubs are following the appropriate regulations?

If the guidance says servers should wear masks, they should be doing it, no matter how cool the customers think they are by ignoring the advice, put in place to try to allow places to open without risking another lockdown if numbers spike.

@MintyMabel ^ Spot on. Fully agree

I wouldn’t go somewhere if they are choosing not to wear masks outside while carrying my food 50cm away from their mouth. It’s my choice rather than a law. I’d go elsewhere.

People are still dying from covid sadly. It’s a horrible illness. My friends thought they would actually die. Just a few weeks ago. It’s that bad.

I’d expect staff to follow the law indoors and wear the masks in there for sure. As long as they are doing that they are not breaking the law.

Sorry but past caring about all this !!!!!!! And I think a lot of people are .....it would not bother me

The thing is usually they are going in and out of the servery as well so they are not outside all the time and when they are inside it’s in quite close quarters . My ds is also having a weekly lateral flow test

@MintyMabel

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.

Because she wants to know if pubs are following the appropriate regulations?

If the guidance says servers should wear masks, they should be doing it, no matter how cool the customers think they are by ignoring the advice, put in place to try to allow places to open without risking another lockdown if numbers spike.

The government guidance - linked to earlier in thread - says staff must wear a face covering indoors and can choose to wear one outdoors.

I am getting so sick of threads like this, so frightened to do anything other than hide behind masks terrorised by our governments bullshit.

Good. Maybe normal life is on the way back.

I can't believe how frightened people still are. You're very unlikely to catch COVID outdoors. The government have done a right number on the public bloody psychological warfare

bloody psychological warfare

Yes! Excellent description.

I'm really looking forwards to seeing faces again, exchanging smiles, clear speech and lip reading.

I can understand why many staff don't bother with the palaver of putting the dratted things on and off all the time, but it is grim that the things end up being worn constantly. I'm looking forwards to staff being able to crack on with their jobs without feeling like they're being gagged.

If you get upset that people aren't wearing masks don't go out to eat, it is what it is, you want to live in fear stay in but leave rest of us to it.

yes maybe they are exempt....non of your business

Wouldn't bother me, we're outside anyway so surely that's perfectly fine?