Test and Trace requirement ‘truly disappointing’
This is a change from how pubs were instructed to use the NHS Test and Trace system last year upon reopening when just the lead booker’s details had to be taken.
Another difference expected is pubs will be able to use these contact details for marketing purposes – something that was not permitted previously.
It is expected pubs will have to take these details for outside trading from Monday 12 April as well as inside service from Monday 17 May.
Hospitality tech platform Airship CEO Dan Brookman spoke with the Government’s Test and Trace team as well as the Department of Health and Social Care on Friday (26 March), stating this would be the case for hospitality venues.
Government guidance
Guidance is due to be announced at the next Government briefing on Monday 5 April – one week before pubs are set to be permitted to trade outdoors only.
UKHospitality boss Kate Nicholls said: “It goes beyond the previous policy of requiring only the lead booker to provide their details.
“We hope the Government will be able to stick to plans for removing restrictions in mid-June so are reluctant to speculate at this point, not least before we know what clarity the guidance will shed, when it is published next week.”
The Morning Advertiser has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care to provide clarification on pubs needing to take customer contact details until September and of all group members but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Went to waste
As a result of the Test and Trace extension, Airship has relaunched its own solution to take customer details.
CEO Dan Brookman said: “I’m truly disappointed Test and Trace will be required for reopening the sector.
“The contact data previously gathered was not used and the effort of operators and inconvenience to customers went to waste.
“The only benefit for businesses is they will be able to include an option for customers to opt-in to receive communications, which will help grow databases that have been decimated over the past 12 months.”
