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.

@Schulte

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

Why outside? You don't have to wear a mask when outside. I've stuck to the rules all the way through, but would have no problem with someone taking orders outside without a mask on. In fact I've been out a few times since we were allowed to on the 12th to different cafes and pubs and have only just realised with this post that not one was wearing a mask, so it obviously can't have bothered me lol.

Surely better to wear them when popping outside to take orders and serve, rather than take them off when they go outside and go through the palaver of putting them away in a hygienic manner then sanitise their hands, then put them back on before going back into the bar, resanitising their hands and then rinse and repeat every time they go in and outdoors.

@Catyness there is no requirement to wear a mask when serving customers outside, only inside. I work in a restaurant and haven't worn one since we have been back, but do try and not stand too close to my customers.

@Elieza

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.

Do you think we are going to dribble all over your food or something? We didn't wear masks before coronavirus so what difference does it make now? Unless your waiter is a complete pillock they won't be sneezing and coughing over your food now any more than they were pre pandemic - in which case they shouldn't be in the job.

This wouldn't both me at all.

It would make me very happy and keen to support that establishment.

I'd be more likely to go back there. Someone's smiling face is like a breath of fresh air amongst all the masks.

@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!

This.

If your that concerned over a server not wearing a face mask outside when face masks arent mandatory outside, I would stay at home.

As others have said, they may have been exempt - not that it matters anyway, given you don't have to (or need to) wear a mask outdoors.

Very few bar staff here are wearing face coverings outdoors and it's never occured to me to wonder why, or to be afraid - any more than I'd be afraid of passing maskless people in the open air generally. Or, y'know, sitting next to them while I have a drink.

Why did the maskless servers particularly bother you, OP, when presumably you were surrounded by people eating/drinking/talking without masks?

I'd be pleased to see it. Masks are not mandated outside (rightly so) and must be very uncomfortable for servers in the recent hot weather.

@kowari

I'd be more likely to go back there. Someone's smiling face is like a breath of fresh air amongst all the masks.

Exactly this.

@kowari

I'd be more likely to go back there. Someone's smiling face is like a breath of fresh air amongst all the masks.

Yes, same here.

I’ve been to the pub twice and none of the staff were wearing masks outside.

Both pubs have built a direct serving hatch to the garden so staff aren’t constantly in and out.

I agree they are outside so probably fine. The particular server you had could also be exempt - are you sure none of the others were wearing them?

Quite hard to communicate with the mask on I guess - taking orders etc

"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"

@FFSFFSFFS you're the exact opposite of "pretty chilled" 🤣

@Thunderpunt the reason I’m concerned about servers not wearing masks when carrying food even when outside is because CV19 is spread up to 2m in droplets from breath.

I wouldn’t stand just 50cm away from someone and I wouldn’t want them standing 50cm away from my food as they carry it.

I appreciate that it’s safer outside but seeing as I already know one person who died from CV19 and know from other how horrifically ill they were,I wouldn’t chance it myself.

Up to the individual to make choices that suit them re eating outdoors. I’m only saying what I feel.

[quote Elieza]@Thunderpunt the reason I’m concerned about servers not wearing masks when carrying food even when outside is because CV19 is spread up to 2m in droplets from breath.

I wouldn’t stand just 50cm away from someone and I wouldn’t want them standing 50cm away from my food as they carry it.

I appreciate that it’s safer outside but seeing as I already know one person who died from CV19 and know from other how horrifically ill they were,I wouldn’t chance it myself.

Up to the individual to make choices that suit them re eating outdoors. I’m only saying what I feel.[/quote]
What about the people sitting on the next table to you, particularly if you're downwind of them? Or if they're taking loudly, or laughing? Or the people who pass you to go to the toilet, or to get to their table?

What about the people who pass you in the street - are you always 2m away from them? Or in the supermarket? Or on public transport?

If you're concerned about them being unmasked within 50cm of your food, what about their hands? They're actually touching your plate - is there a guarantee they've washed their hands before they serve every customer? Your food will have been through several pairs of hands and in contact with several people - possibly unmasked - before it even reaches you.

Seriously. You could tie yourself up in knots a thousand times over with all this. There will always be a risk, however tiny. Are you vulnerable, and if so, have you been vaccinated?

Honestly past caring. I’ll wear a mask when i have to but I don’t care what others do now.

I’m more than happy for people to go maskless

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 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Funniest comment I have read all week! Oh thank you for that laugh PP maybe they could use those pizza paddle things that chefs use to take pizzas in and out of a wood oven and balance the plates on the end?? Or somehow catapult the meals over to the tables??

Did you never go out before covid? Did you worry they might pass that other very famous coronavirus the Common Cold onto your food?

Still trying to work out with the OP is afraid about announcing she wont go out??

@ElephantsNest

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

But there aren’t any guidelines relating to wearing masks outdoors.

If it’s ok for 6 people from different households to sit at a dining table together outside to eat without masks on, why should the poor server have to wear a mask. Waiting on is tiring and hot at the best of times, I imagine it’s not very pleasant while wearing a mask.

Would not bother me at all
The more normal things are the better for me

Wish my servers weren't, they look like they have nice faces and I would like to see expressions.

I wouldn't wear a mask when I go for my walk.
I didn't wear a mask to watch ds play football this morning.
I don't wear a mask on the High Street, until I go into a building
but
I would expect someone taking orders and bringing out food and drinks in a pub or cafe at the moment to wear one. They are in and out of buildings. They are mixing with hundreds of different people over a shift, that they don't know and have no idea who else those people have mixed with that week. Servers have always had to adhere to a greater standard of hygiene than folk would in their own home, and I think the same principle applies here.

I also think, for their own protection they would want to.

All those terrified of the serving staff being maskless, are you wearing the mask while ordering and having your food and drinks taken to you?

I do wonder how people coped before did they worry that the serving staff had untold diseases.