Go on, Jeeves! Chauffeured cars are exempt from the new Covid rules, which force taxi drivers to wear face masks
- Passengers in licensed vehicles wear face covers under new restrictions
- Number 10 of the measures mentioned does not include passengers in chauffeured cars
- The spokesman said he would check whether the rule on ministerial cars applies
Chauffeured cars will be exempt from the new coronavirus rules that force taxi drivers to wear face masks, a Downing Street spokesman said.
Passengers in licensed vehicles in England would have to wear covers under new restrictions to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19.
However, No. 10 said the measure, due to go into effect Thursday, would not lock passengers in chauffeured cars, although the driver’s employer would have to make sure they can work safely.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The chauffeur’s employer must ensure that its employees can work in a Covid-safe manner.”
No. 10 stated that the rules requiring passengers in licensed taxis to wear face-coverings would not include passengers in chauffeured cars, although the driver’s employer would have to ensure that they can work safely (file picture).
If chauffeurs are covered by the new law, the spokesman said, “The important point is that the driver of a licensed vehicle picks up a large number of customers throughout the day, but it is important to protect the driver from infection by a significant number different people.
“The scenario you are describing is that this person is just a single person, so I don’t think they are comparable.”
The spokesman said he would look into whether the rule applies to ministers being driven around in ministerial cars.
It comes as Number 10 was forced to clarify that customers can order groceries from the counter in McDonalds after Dominic Raab caused mass confusion by saying it was banned.
Downing Street says a new law requires people to sit and order at a table that only applies to bars, pubs and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Foreign Minister Dominic Raab suggested that fast food chains like McDonalds and coffee shops like Pret a Manger have to tear up their systems and become table service just to stay open
This means that burger joints, other fast food and street cafes can continue to serve people who are queuing at the checkout – but if they do not take away, they have to sit down to eat or drink.
Mr Raab made his comments this morning after Boris Johnson announced a “table-only service” policy last night to reduce the likelihood of people in queues getting in close contact with others.
When asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today program if customers could line up for food and then sit down, Mr. Raab said, “My understanding is that you need to be able to order at the tables.”
But this afternoon, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the table service rules apply to “licensed premises”.
High street businesses are under a lot of pressure after Boris Johnson returned to work from home
When asked if this meant you could “go to McDonalds, order your Big Mac, pick it up, and then sit down,” he replied, “Right.” You have to sit down to eat it for the rules corresponds, but yes, the table service rules apply (only) to licensed premises. “
Ministers were faced with a barrage of angry business owners for whom the introduction of table service would mean employing more staff and serving fewer customers. And the clarification sparked more anger about the mixed messages.
Kate Nicholls, UK director of Hospitality Hospitality, said policy changes “on a daily basis” and inconsistencies between decentralized governments are confusing hospitality executives and “making better money”.
She said, “We understand that fast food restaurants are exempt from the new rules, but there is certainly some level of confusion.
Ministers released official documents online yesterday evening setting out how Boris Johnson’s new lockdown measures (pictured today) would work. But this morning there was confusion about their implementation
“Companies have been given next to no time to implement rules that have been introduced without consulting the industry, and we are rushing to interpret them. These restrictions will have a huge impact. ‘
Pret A Manger founder Julian Metcalfe blew up Mr Johnson’s address on Tuesday night and told Radio 4 today, “This man is sitting with his Union Jack talking utter nonsense … to address a whole nation and to say to stay at home for six months and then it is terribly of little help to utter some church nonsense that we are going to get through. ‘
New blocking rules at a glance
- Office workers who can work “normally” from home should do so.
- English pubs, bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. on Thursday.
- The hospitality sector will be limited to table service only.
- Face covering must be worn when working in taxis and in retail shops.
- Indoor customers must wear face-covering unless they are seated at a table to eat / drink.
- Rule of six exceptions reduced, indoor team sports prohibited.
- The planned return of spectators to sports facilities will no longer take place from October 1st.
- Wedding ceremonies and receptions are limited to 15 people from Monday
