Partial relaxation of hotel curfew rules

Monday 23 November 2020

The Government has agreed to a slight watering down of its drinking curfew rules for hotels.

Last week, it was announced that all local premises serving alcohol would have to take last orders at 22:00, with all clients out by 22:30.

But, in response to lobbying from hospitality heads, the advice has now been slightly amended for hotels. 

“Non-residents (guests of residents) will be required to leave by 22:30. No alcohol can be sold at hotel bars after 22:00, but facilities can remain open for serving of food and non-alcoholic drink to residents," a Government spokesperson explained.

It means that resident guests who order alcohol before 22:00 will be able to continue drinking past 22:30.

Pictured: Hotels will have to stop serving alcohol by 22:00, but guests will be allowed to remain at bars and restaurants drinking past 22:30.

They will also be able to drink pre-ordered drinks in their rooms and use minibars.

In all licensed premises, clients must remain seated, with standing bar service against the Government's guidance.

The Government’s new licensing curfew, which came into force on Friday (20 November), follows international evidence that people find it harder to keep a physical distance after drinking. 

They are also more likely to speak at raised volume, increasing the risk of respiratory droplets passing from one person to another.

Under the new rules, hotels and restaurants are also unable to take bookings for more than 10 people – the new maximum cap on informal gatherings. 

The maximum number of attendees at ‘formal’ gatherings, meanwhile, has been reduced from 40 to 20.

The new rules on gatherings were announced alongside several others at a press conference last Monday, in which the medic leading Jersey’s response to the pandemic, Dr Ivan Muscat, made a plea for islanders to follow five key rules:

1.     "Help us reduce the size and frequency of gatherings, especially with alcohol.

2.     Wear masks in indoor public spaces.

3.     Keep following the basic routines of physical distancing and hand washing.

4.     If you need to self-isolate, please follow the rules.

5.     If you have a customer-facing job, please take a test when asked."