'Don’t kick hospitality all the time': New Hartlepool lockdown rules ‘unfair’ says licensing association chief

Darab Rezai, chairman of Hartlepool Licensees’ Association, said operators have followed government guidance to keep customers safe.

Under new regulations for Hartlepool announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock on October 1 it will be made illegal for people from different households to mix indoors including going for a drink or a meal.

But Mr Hancock said social mixing in outdoor hospitality settings would be allowed.

Mr Rezai questioned the restrictions when it has been said a lot of infection cases are being passed through household visits.

And he said safety measures used by the hospitality sector are stronger than those in the town’s big supermarkets.

Mr Rezai, who owns Harbour View restaurant on Hartlepool Marina, said: “It’s so unfair as I would say 99% of hospitality [businesses] follow all the rules; social distancing, wearing masks and providing sanitisers. We do Track and Trace.

"In Harbour View we have got seven automatic sanitisers that are battery operated and you don’t have to touch anything.

"Are we getting hit by something that’s not our fault? I’m told most of the cases are people at home.”

Mr Hancock said the same restrictions enforced in other parts of the North East recently would be extended to Hartlepool and Middlesbrough which includes table service only in hospitality venues.

A 10pm curfew is already in place across the whole of England.

Mr Rezai said any new restrictions would impact hospitality business’s finances but said operators have put people’s safety before profits.

And he said the council has the power to take action against any businesses that do not follow the Covid safety rules.

Mr Rezai added: “I think the government and the local council have got to look at the bigger establishments not individual places.

"People spend a couple of hours in supermarkets shopping and touching goods they don’t necessarily pick.

"We should all be responsible and do our best for the community. Businesses are going through a hard time.

"Please don’t kick hospitality all the time.

"It is not their fault.”

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